The Observer Vol. 90 No. 7 – July 2025

Jewish OBSERVER

Jewish Federation Welcomes New CEO

By BARBARA DAB

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville is pleased to welcome Judy Alperin as the new CEO. She recently completed a role as chief development officer of Hadassah where she led philanthropy efforts including principal and major gifts, annual giving and emergency fundraising to support the work of the Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah’s youth aliyah villages. No stranger to Federation, she previously was CEO of the Jewish Federation, Foundation and JCC of Greater New Haven where she completed the integration of the Federation and New Haven’s JCC into a single $10 million operation. She held multiple leadership roles with the Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Aron Karabel, president of the Jewish Federation says it is Alperin’s experience that makes her the right fit for Nashville. “She has a proven track record of engaging donors and volunteers, and driving organizational success.”

Alperin says her family has a Continued on page 22

Israel Special Report

Dancing in the Shelter

By ZIV SHEMESH, COMMUNITY SHLICHA

“Israeli resilience is so impressive,” one of the participants told me.

I smiled and replied, “It truly is. But it’s you, dancing with us in the shelters— your resilience is just as powerful.”

We came to Israel as a group of volunteers—strangers.

Different cities, different stories, different reasons for joining.

But something happens when people share intensity, when the days are filled with purpose and the nights with raw emotion.

We became a community. We became, in a way, Israelis.

What we experienced wasn’t curated—it was real. Unfiltered.

It was Israel, in all its heartbreak and beauty, fear and laughter, fragility and strength.

On the night between Thursday and Friday, everything changed.

We were jolted awake by a blaring alert, the same sound of an Amber or tornado warning.

Groggy and confused, I thought for a second my phone was still on the location of Nashville. Was there a tornado back home?

But within seconds, the truth hit us.

This wasn’t a weather alert. This was history in the making.

I opened my phone to a flood of breaking news:

“Israel was launching a strike on Iran.”

Adrenaline surged. I jumped out of bed and said:

“We’re witnessing history unfold!”

Viktor Frankl once said:

“Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how’.”

And in that surreal, electric moment—we understood our why. We understood that the next unknown days will not be quiet, but we will bear it.

Waking up in the night a couple of times due to sirens from hundreds of ballistic missiles launched across all of Israel and hearing the booms of the interceptions. Opening the news and hearing about a missile that landed and caused casualties and damage.

But that didn’t stop us. We didn’t let the fear take over.

When we went to the shelter, we went with our guitar and our joy to sing and dance in the shelter—not to ignore the fear, but to rise above it.

And the very next morning, we were on the Tel Aviv boardwalk, enjoying the sun with cold beer in one hand and warm shawarma in the other.

This is Israel.

Where pain and joy coexist.

Where fear is met with faith.

Where war does not eclipse life—it intensifies it.

Continued on page 20

Local Jewish Community Members’ Reflections from the Ground in Israel

By BARBARA DAB

Just as Israeli strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites killed several top military officials and nuclear scientists on June 13th, members of Nashville’s Jewish community were on the ground in Israel. Almost two dozen people were participating on a national Birthright Onward trip, and some were just visiting friends and family.

Nightly bombings sent people running to shelters. During the day, exhausted travelers tried to carry on a normal routine. With flights cancelled and the airspace closed, the only routes out of the country were by land or by sea. Some in the community left on cruise ships to Cyprus, followed by long airplane trips back home. Some are still in Israel, trying to cope and waiting for flights to begin again, or for the next ship.

Below are some reflections from these members of our community. Note that some people answered specific questions.

Wedding to War

By SHARON AND MOISES PAZ

Our cousin, who served in the IDF and his fiancé, also Israeli, invited us to their wedding in Israel on June 10th. We had not been back to Israel in 10 years.

Judy Alperin is the new CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville

PHOTO CREDIT: CANTOR JOSH GOLDBERG

PHOTO CREDIT: CANTOR JOSH GOLDBERG

Reintroducing the Magic of Partnership2Gether: Uniting Nashville with Israel

By JESSICA COHEN BANISH, NASHVILLE P2G DIRECTOR & STATESIDE COORDINATOR

I

’m thrilled to introduce myself, or rather, re-introduce myself, as Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville Director for Partnership2Gether Hadera-Eiron, Southeast US & Czech Republic, and Consortium Stateside Coordinator. Many may know me from my time as Marketing Director at the Jewish Federation from 2018 to 2023. When I was offered the opportunity to return earlier this year with the sole focus of P2G, I couldn’t pass it up. Partnership is a program that has held deep personal and professional meaning for me ever since I first experienced what many call “the P2G magic,” something our global Jewish community needs now more than ever.

Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville belongs to one of 40 global partnerships powered by Jewish Agency for Israel and funded by local Federations that take part in them. Through this partnership, our local Jewish community is linked with Israel’s Hadera-Eiron region, along with Jewish communities in Charlotte and Greensboro (NC), Charleston (SC), Chattanooga (TN), Richmond (VA), Northeast Florida, Florida’s Gulf Coast, Florida’s Lee & Charlotte counties, and the Czech Republic.

What makes P2G so powerful is the way programs bring people together

through real, personal connections through cultural and professional exchanges, speaker exchanges, education collaborations, community, and volunteer missions, and more. P2G creates in-person and virtual moments that help us learn from one another, share our traditions, and explore and deepen our Jewish identities.

What happens through these experiences is nothing short of magical. Starting as strangers, over time, through continued dialogue, collaborations, traveling together, shared meals, laughter, and sometimes challenges, we begin to see ourselves as family.

Rabbi Lindsey Danziger has experienced the “P2G Magic” firsthand, and I’m thrilled to introduce her as Nashville’s P2G Chair for the fiscal cycle which kicks off on October 1st. Lindsey’s passion for Partnership programming, Jewish knowledge, and warm, welcoming nature make her the ideal person to serve as Chair. Together with Lindsey and other volunteers we are working closely to plan and customize engaging and inspiring partnership opportunities for Jewish Nashville.

Details on all 2025/26 programs will be announced soon. If you’d like to learn more or get involved as a volunteer, host family, or program participant, I would love to hear from you. Join us in strengthening our global Jewish community, one connection at a time, with the help of the “P2G magic.”• jessica@jewishnashville.org

It’s time to launch our 2025 Annual Campaign

By JASON SPARKS

After our community united last year to complete our largest campaign since before the pandemic, we took some time to begin planning for the 2025 Campaign. Several years ago, our fiscal and campaign year shifted from a July to June cycle to January to December, or a calendar year. So, while in years past, it made sense to have a phone-a-thon in February and March, now it makes more sense to do that later in the year, which we will be doing at the end of August. And many communities around the country run an annual campaign that is three to six months, instead of all year long. So, to be better aligned with this timeline, we will be launching our Annual Campaign in July!

Our Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville Board of Directors has set an Annual Campaign goal of $3 million, which is roughly a 20% increase over 2024. Our board is fully committed, and the exciting thing is that as of publication, we are already halfway to our goal before the campaign has even officially launched. This was made possible by not only by the great work of our Campaign Committee, but also because many of our donors who have been giving at flat levels for many years have decided to increase their giving to better match the needs of our community.

And the needs are great. Antisemitism has increased over the last 10 years to levels that we have not seen in a very long time in the United States. Recent figures show that Jewish people are exponentially the most-likely group to be targeted by hate crimes in the US; 2023 numbers show that anti-Jewish hate crimes strike at 291 incidents per 1MM

people, almost three times the next-largest minority population. As we all saw in Nashville last year, with multiple public rallies of hate groups that marched through our streets and vandalism issues, we are not immune to these challenges.

We have been working locally with the Mayor’s Office and Metro Council to address incidents and more importantly build strategies and relationships to address our concerns in the future. We have been working with large public-school systems like Metro Nashville Public Schools which has over 86,000 students, as well as smaller private schools, to address the needs of Jewish students and families. And, acting as a coordinator for all of Tennessee’s Jewish Federations, we have been using our lobbyists to help build funding for security, pass legislation that helps us protect our people, and make our state less welcoming to hate groups.

It has been heartening to see so many people come together to support our work at Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, across the spectrum of political beliefs, young and old, multi-generational Nashvillians working together with those new to town and in surrounding counties, observant and non-observant, and even people from outside our community. They trust us to support Jews in Middle Tennessee, because the reality is that if we don’t, nobody else going to do it for us. And that was why federated giving was invented in the first place 150 years ago, because our community needed a bigger voice and support, and they realized the best way to do that was by joining together as a people.

And moving outside our community, we are doing work overseas. As I write this, we are scrambling to help commu-

nity members get back from various trips in Israel following the conflict with Iran. And at the same time, we are working with our partner agencies to help our people in Israel during these challenging times.

Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror is a key part in our rapid emergency response strategy, providing immediate and subsequent cash grants to individuals who are direct victims of terror and violence. Because in times of crisis, the most important way to support those in need is with cash and quickly. Some time ago, the definition of a “victim of terror” was expanded drastically and now encompasses anyone impacted post-October 7th in Israel, which includes the current crisis we face.

Another large part of the work Federation has been working on overseas since October 7th is expanding mental health services, a great need in Israel. In partnership with Israel’s Health Ministry, 16 community mental health facilities have been funded throughout the country, and are helping over 200,000 Israelis a year. In addition, six centers specifically for Israeli youth have been opened in partnership with Enosh, one of Israel’s leading mental health organizations, to specifically treat the complex psychological challenges they are facing in these unprecedented times.

Because we have been working with these partner agencies for so many years, we already have a playbook in place and they are great at telling us what they need and where. So, while the needs are great from all over the country, we know where we can help our donors make the biggest, most immediate impact and ensure that it is the most efficient way to help, and we appreciate them trusting us to use our relationships to further those goals.

I was just checking in on WhatsApp with the teenager who we hosted last summer from our partnership region, Hadera. Her time with us was magical for our family, and I hope that it was for her as well. We took her on bike rides through the Warner Parks, and then one day on a whim, we got up super-early to take her to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana where she discovered American roller coasters are a bit larger than anything she had seen back home. My mom made her a classic feast of Southern food, and her mind was blown by seeing squirrels (something she didn’t even know existed).

I was thinking about her because she has been through so much in her young life. Through COVID, through the nightmare of October 7th and the nonstop aftermath of conflicts and sirens, to today, where her last weeks of school were cancelled, she’s stuck at home, and part of a missile struck her house (fortunately, everyone is okay, at least physically).

We owe it to her, her family, our children and community to keep doing this work to help Jews locally and all over the world. While at times it seems we are in a never-ending cycle of hate and violence, and that we are facing unprecedented challenges locally and abroad, it does my heart good to see all of the support we receive from our donors and supporters. It gives me hope, and I realize that we are all working together to engage in that universal concept of tikkun olam, or repairing our world, both here and everywhere.

And it all starts with your generous gift to the 2025 Annual Campaign. Every donation, large or small, joins together to create a force for good everywhere. Because united, we can make a difference for good. •

Partnership2Gether participants pictured l. to r.: Pictured: Tova Eastman, Laura Cohen, Lindsay Danziger (incoming P2G Nashville Chair), Noga Hila (Author), Tina Ritchie, Diane Beck, Janet Wisemark, and Bobbi Lipshutz.

P2G participants in the Birthright Onward volunteer mission to Israel

The Observer Wins Another Rockower Award

Well, it’s that time again: the annual American Jewish Press Association conference just wrapped up. And we are pleased to announce that The Observer won another Simon Rockower Award for Excellence in Jewish Journalism, this year in the category of Excellence in Arts News and Features reporting. This year’s entry, titled: “Observing the Ordinary: Joanna Brichetto’s journey from naturalist to author,” was awarded to Observer editor, Barbara Dab.

This year’s conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and featured the film, “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life,” which documents Pittsburgh’s powerful community response to hate in the aftermath of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The session was moderated by Maggie Feinstein, executive director of 10.27 Healing Partnership, an organization founded to share the stories of that sad day and its aftermath in schools, churches, synagogues, and any place where people will listen to the lessons learned. “I was very moved by the stories of loss, pain, grief, and resilience by the survivors who spoke,” says Dab, “I was inspired by their desire to use their tragedy to educate others about the power of hate, and the healing power of love.”

c c c c STAFF

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 views and opinions expressed in The Jewish OBSERVER are not necessarily endorsed by Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville or its partners.

To read the winning Rockower story, visit https://www.jewishobservernashville.org/article/2024/09/observing-the-ordinary-joanna-brichettos-journey-from-naturalist-to-author •

Farewell…Again

By MARK S. FREEDMAN

Almost seven years ago to the day, June 30, 2018, I retired as the CEO of your Jewish Federation. Little did I know then, before COVID, before the racial unrest of 2020 that challenged our nation, before the momentous elections of 2020 and 2024 did I ever imagine I would return to the Jewish Federation as your Interim CEO, and to do so for an eight-month tenure.

It was Thomas Wolfe who authored the famous book and commonly used phrase “You can’t go home again.” This phrase, explored in his novel, signifies that returning to one’s past is impossible due to the inevitable changes in people and places. It reflects the idea that both the individual and their former home have transformed, making it impossible to return to the same experience.

And my experience of the past eight months has proven the time-tested phrase to be only partially true. For certain Nashville has grown dramatically in the seven years since my initial departure from the Jewish Federation. Yet, in some respects, the Nashville Jewish community remains remarkably consistent in several respects.

Jewish Nashville, which has experienced similar exponential growth as the rest of the city and region, is still characterized by its warmth, its cohesiveness and its compassion. More than any other city I have ever lived in (and there have been more than a few over my 42-year career as a Jewish communal professional) can a member of the Nashville Jewish community avail themselves of a rich and

Corrections Policy

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

Editorial Submissions Policy and Deadlines

The Jewish Observer welcomes the submission of information, news items, feature stories and photos about events relevant to the Jewish community of Greater Nashville. 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.

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

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robust engagement with Jewish institutions and express their love of Jewish culture, heritage and tradition.

You are all blessed in so many respects to be living in Jewish Nashville, so my parting advice to all of you is “count your blessings.” They are likely more numerous than you could possibly imagine. Within the limited space that I have to offer this farewell redux, there simply is not enough room to thank all of the individuals who have enriched my work experience these past eight months. I want to thank all of you for letting me re-enter your lives through your partnership and loving friendship. I am truly a lucky man.

At the 2018 Jewish Federation Annual Meeting, I offered my first fare-

Continued on page 6

LIFE & LEGACY: One More Year

By NORMA SHIRK, LIFE & LEGACY™ COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

One more year has passed for Nashville’s LIFE & LEGACY™ program. On July 1st, we began year nine of the program. When year nine ends on June 30, 2026, our participation in the program will continue, but with a few changes.

To understand those changes, it is helpful to look back at what this program has meant for Nashville. The Nashville Jewish community joined the LIFE & LEGACY program in 2017. During the initial four years of the program, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation provided substantial training and financial support to implement the program. Participating organizations have shared incentive grants totaling $290,650 based on the achievements of their volunteers.

Teams of volunteers representing each participating organization have spent the past eight years meeting with community members to discuss securing the future of Jewish Nashville. During this time, over 400 individuals have pledged gifts to local Jewish organizations with an estimated value exceeding $26.5 million. More than $2 million has been realized, meaning received, by the participating organizations. The money received increases the financial sustainability of the recipient organizations,

ensuring they can continue to serve the community.

The LIFE & LEGACY program was created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to support Jewish organizations across North America through partnerships with local Jewish Federations and Foundations to promote after-lifetime giving. After-lifetime giving allows donors to use their money during their lifetime while confirming they will leave a gift to the organizations of their choice. After-lifetime giving enables donors to continue their impact far into the future.

Becoming a LIFE & LEGACY™ donor is an easy, straightforward process. A donor must sign a letter of intent (LOI), pledging a gift to one or more participating organizations. Donors in our community promise to leave a gift to an average of 2.2 organizations. Donors may then take up to a year to formalize their LOI’s by amending their will to add a bequest or adding their chosen organizations as beneficiaries to a retirement account or life insurance policy.

More than 80 volunteers have participated in this program since 2017, representing 14 Jewish organizations in our community. Their hard work and dedication have ensured the success of the LIFE & LEGACY program in our

Continued on page 6

The Observer wins another Simon Rockower Award. Editor Barbara Dab authored the winning entry.

Mark S. Freedman, interim CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, bids farewell to the community…again.

Antisemitism and Jew Hatred Stoke Fear in Jewish Community

By BARBARA DAB

These past few weeks have been a blur for the Jewish community in the United States and in Israel. The murder of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two Israeli embassy workers, and the fire-bombing attack on a Run for Their Lives walk in Boulder, Colorado, have left people reeling.

In Nashville, the weekly Run for Their Lives walk continued on, and then was abruptly canceled after the United States’ bombing of nuclear sites in Iran. According to Danielle Demaso, one of the founders of the local chapter, it was a recommendation from the national Run for Their Lives organization. “They asked their groups to put a pause on the walks for 24 hours to be able to assess the situation regionally after the US strategic bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites. Our walk was within the 24 hours. Ultimately it was each groups decision and Tonya and I discussed it with each other and decided we need to be safe out of an abundance of caution.”

Demaso said she and her co-chair Tonya Bennett, also consulted a local security professional who agreed with the cancel-

lation. “ne. I already had police lined up for the walk for today but decided it was best to cancel and let them know. “

Demaso and Bennett started the local chapter soon after October 7, 2023, when they saw a video of Rachel PolinGoldberg urging people to get involved and mentioning this group. Demaso said the message resonated with her as a way to deal with her own grief, so she called the national organization and arranged to participate. The first local walk was on day 100 after the attack. That first walk in Hendersonville, in freezing temperatures, had 20 people showing up to walk. Bennett credits David and Liat Zilberman, of Tennessee Stands with Israel, with helping spread the word. “They wanted to partner with us and I told Danielle we should move this to downtown,” says Bennett.

The two, along with Tennessee Stands with Israel, have been walking every Sunday since. B ennett says she is driven both as a caring person and as a mother. “I want to do things that my daughter would be proud of and to show her the right things to do.”

Elsewhere in Nashville, the local Nice Jewish Runners group recently cel-

ebrated its one year anniversary. That group, started by Erin Wides, is a social running club that meets at a different location each week. Wides says the first run had about 10 people, but at the recent anniversary run, there were more than 40 who showed up. But the Boulder bombing, which came immediately after that run, shook the group. “Our initial concerns, that I heard Sunday from a few runners, was it could have been us,” says Wides.

Despite those fears, participants say they plan to keep showing up for weekly runs. Mery Rudy, a member of Nice Jewish Runners, says “We keep showing up. We keep reminding ourselves that we’re better in numbers and we have each other’s backs and we’re not going to stop running.” She adds that the group’s meaning goes far beyond the runs themselves. “It’s nice to know I have a community, and I’m not just isolated in a wold where everyone is against Israel.”

Barbara Tolbert, another Nice Jewish Runners member, agrees with Rudy, but continues to harbor some fears about the public aspect of the group. “It’s nice to be out there with other Jews and showing that we’re there in solidarity. But also there’s always in the back of your head, ‘Should we be this outward facing?”

Wides has consulted with both local law enforcement and the Secure Community Network (SCN), the Jewish community’s security liaison. Amanda Braswell is the SCN regional security advisor. She says Middle Tennessee is home to an active white supremacist

community. “You have very active local groups, and multiple groups that we are watching on a regular basis.” She cites a recent threat to Nashville mayor Freddie O’Connell, who has Jewish heritage. “We invoked the FBI and all the measures that our center goes through for that sort of thing.”

Braswell says the local Jewish community is doing all the right things to be as prepared as possible, and to remain safe. But it is important to plan for the worst case scenario, which she says is when there is a lone attacker who is prepared to not go home at the end of the day. “It is a multi-layered security approach that is the best defense against somebody like that.”

When it comes to preparing for the worst, Jewish Family Service (JFS) has worked with Nashville Pride to make sure participants can be safe during the two-day festival. Pam Kelner is executive director for JFS. She says, “Nashville Pride has been amazing in terms of working with us on security, ensuring that any hate speech is squashed from the outset.” She says last year was the first year she thought about security or antisemitism or antizionism at the festival. Still, she says it is important to prepare for the worst.

At press time for this article, local Pride festivals and Nice Jewish Runners have continued as planned. The bodies of three more hostages were recovered by Israel, leaving approximately 50 still in captivity. Of those, Israel believes 27 of them are dead. •

Run for Their Lives group walks weekly to maintain awareness of the hostages still in captivity

Nice Jewish Runners celebrated the one year anniversary of the local chapter

Nice Jewish Runners relax together.

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Record Setting Turnout for World Zionist Congress Elections

By BARBARA DAB

This year more than 230,000 American Jews voted for the World Zionist Congress (WZC), also known as the “parliament of the Jewish people.” According to the American Zionist Movement, the turnout is an 86% increase over the 2020 elections. The top vote getter was the Vote Reform slate, representing the Reform movement.

According to Rabbi Lindsey Danziger, campaign manager for the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, the results represent a real victory for the movement. “Since October 7th there has been such a renewed interest in Israel. And people wonder in the Reform community, which tends to be progressive, would people still be willing to engage and turnout for the thing that says ‘Zionism’ and we showed that they were.” She says overall the Reform votes increased by 60% over the last elections.

Danziger says the vote indicates that Reform Judaism is compatible with Zionism. “We want a stake in Israel, and we want to fight for Israel’s future.” This despite opponents Danziger says argue Reform Jews are not real Jews. “We’re not real Jews, the way we practice Judaism is not legitimate.” She says this view motivated Reform Jews to vote in unprecedented numbers.

Some of the key issues for Reform voters, according to Danziger, was concern about the hostages. “We wanted to have a voice in Israel to prioritize bringing home ethe hostages,” she says. Other top issues that motivated Reform Jews included concerns about Jewish heritage and the legitimacy of non-Orthodox. “It’s the idea that there could be a future in Israel where our kids, our grandkids, those from patrilineal descent, those who’ve had conversions with Reform or Conservative or with modern Orthodox rabbis wouldn’t be able under the Law of Return to become Israeli.”

In addition to the Reform slate, there are several others, including Team ANU: A New Union. This slate

LIFE & LEGACY

Continued from page 3

community. Volunteers will remain the primary support for each participating organization as our participation in the LIFE & LEGACY program transitions at the end of year nine.

At the end of year nine, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation will wind down its remaining financial support and transition to being a resource for our community. The Nashville Jewish community will continue participating in the LIFE & LEGACY program while relying

describes itself as representing diverse, inter-generational lay and professional leaders seeking to build consensus through conversation. According to its website, the goals are, “To model a cross-denominational and multi-generational approach that elevates our shared goals and values above a partisanship which distracts our community from our pressing and immediate challenges.”

Erin Coleman, a board member for the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, is also a member of the ANU slate. She became activated to participate when a friend in Los Angeles reached about joining this new effort. “They wanted something that was more egalitarian, inclusive of every type of Jew, every section of religion, and everywhere in the country.” She says the process for becoming an official slate was grassroots and very arduous. Nevertheless, the new group acquired the necessary signatures.

Coleman is pleased with this year’s increased turnout, especially from Nashville, because it also means more local voices in determining how funds are used in Israel. “It’s really important that your voice is heard so that your voice can have power in Israel.” She says the grassroots effort paid off, with the brand-new slate receiving 1700 votes.

Also on one of the slates this year was Federation board member Fred Zimmerman. He was part of The Jewish Future, a slate representing what they say are centrist views. “We want to make sure as many people as possible are included in the discussions and trying to stake out a platform that will appeal to the greatest number of people,” he says. Among the slate’s top issues were support for the next generation, fighting antisemitism, rejecting extremism, and upholding Israel’s founding values.

Zimmerman says the outcome of this year’s WZC elections are a direct reflection of the political situation in Israel. Asked whether The Jewish Future slate could bridge the gap between Israel’s far left and far right, he says it is a possibility but might take another couple of election

on local resources. The primary local resources are the wonderful volunteers who will implement each participating organization’s sustainability plan, which is a blueprint for continuing their legacy-giving efforts into the future. Ensuring a sustainable future for the Nashville Jewish community has never been easier.

If you would like more information about the LIFE & LEGACY program, please contact one of the participating organizations or Norma Shirk, L&L Community Coordinator at norma@ jewishnashville.org. •

cycles. He says the bigger issue is the realworld effects on the ground and who is in power in Israel. “There’s a little bit of enlightened self-interest that goes on with these slates,” he says, “A lot of them have real world operations that are taken care of. That’s a good thing because they’re actually on the ground accomplishing things.” He says a big challenge for most of the slates is having the resources to achieve their individual mission.

Other slates represent both the Conservative and Orthodox perspectives. And as expected, the Orthodox slates received a sizable share of votes. Rabbi Saul Strosberg of Congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville, says the continuing strength of Orthodox influence is what is notable. “Reform Jews being both concerned about Israel and organized with their voices is nothing new, considering the domineering ultra-Orthodox political influence. To me, the novelty here, is the strong Orthodox votes that is a testament to both growing numbers and a strong sentiment of having the government continue to support the traditional Jewish infrastructure (to different degrees) and also the breadth of expressions of Orthodox life - just see how many different Orthodox parties did well.”

And the Mercaz, Conservative, slate came in fourth overall. Rabbi Joshua Kullock of West End Synagogue says he is pleased to see the increase in voting, particularly in the Conservative and Reform arenas, because it means those groups were better able to mobilize their members. But he is unsure of the overall effect. “Remains to be seen how, at the end of the day, these mandates will impact the general conversation. Hopefully it will help to ensure that Israel remains a Jewish and democratic state, and that both Israel and the diaspora develop deeper ways to celebrate and strengthen Jewish diversity.”

Nashville’s participants all agree the increased turnout this year was due to increased interest after the terrorist attacks of October 7th. Danziger says, “Some of the things that resonated the

Farewell...Again

Continued from page 3 well with these words, and now, I leave you with them again.

We Jews are a sacred assembly. Each one of us is a single letter in the Torah. If we become imperfect, the sacred assembly rushes to make us whole. We cannot enjoy meaning in our lives unless we are surrounded by the letters and words that precede and follow us. The words of this sacred assembly are impressions in grains of sand at Sinai that do not erode, do not scatter in the wind, and do not wash away with the rains. We have been pressed downward then upward for all eternity.

This sacred assembly moves across the epochs. We are blemished, bruised and battered but never cast asunder. The Jewish past, present and future stream like waves informing our deeds seeking to inspire greatness in each of us. This sacred assembly cannot be overwhelmed, nor can it ever be complacent. Its guardians stand by the gates of Torah and Talmud and beyond the gates Israel beckons as it was, is and will forever be the home of this sacred assembly.

most with our voters was first of all we are really concerned about the hostages and to have a voice in Israel to really prioritize that.” Coleman agrees and says the events of October 7th brought home the unifying aspect of Israel, particularly when it comes to the rising antisemitism, which she says now comes from both the Right and the Left. “It’s behind a lot of the antisemitism we’re having, especially on the left. It’s one thing if the Right and Nazis are coming after us, that feels homegrown in the United States and the thing we’ve dealt with in other countries. It doesn’t feel like it’s because of our support for Israel,” she says, “But now on the left the antisemitism is based within our support for Israel and being a Zionist. So even more so it feels important to make sure Israel is a secure place for us.”

And Zimmerman says October 7th brought focus to the organized Jewish world. “The way some of these organizations responded after October 7th made people realize there’s a lot more here than they thought. This is an interesting way to get involved and make sure that I as an individual person in whatever movement has a chance to have my voice heard.”

This year’s elections also contained a fair amount of controversy. There were allegations of voter fraud among six of the slates. Coleman says this was the hardest, most disappointing part of the experience for her. “It was really disheartening because we knew about the fraud during the election period. We were hearing about it and WZC didn’t really do anything to stop it during the election, is what it felt to me.” She says this type of behavior runs counter to Jewish values. “As Jews we need to be upright citizens, especially right now. And you have our own American election going awry.”

To date, the American Zionist Tribunal and the Zionist Supreme Court, the WZC’s judicial authority in Jerusalem, are considering the case. Danziger says her coalition is advocating for a plan to discourage voter fraud in the future. “There should be a penalty to maintain the integrity of the elections.” •

We are in a moment of history where this sacred assembly has been many times before. We cannot fear the illness and weakness that might pervade us now for this sacred assembly can summon a cure at any moment. We are uniquely positioned, as we have always been, to renew the covenant that binds this sacred assembly to its destiny. So, I say to you, “what grain of sand are you in the landscape of this sacred assembly?” You are with me always, letters inscribed forever in my heart with gratitude and great thankfulness in the presence of this sacred assembly.

In closing I extend my fondest best wishes to all of you, especially to my successor, your new permanent Jewish Federation CEO, Judy Alperin. Please shower upon her all the gracefulness, respect and sacred blessings you extended to me over the years.

Am Yisrael Chai! •

Mark S. Freedman served as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville from 2011-2018 and as Interim CEO from November 2024 to June 2025. He lives in Parkland, Florida with his wife, Leslie J. Klein.

Heart of the Matter

By TONI JACOBSEN

T

through a difficult time. It is an honor and privilege I do not take lightly.

ter person because of the love within this community.

wenty-five years ago, I saw an ad for my position on the back of a social work newsletter. I wasn’t looking for a job at the time, but it looked interesting, so I sent in my resume. On the day of the interview, I almost did not show up but decided that would be rude, so I went to practice my interviewing skills. When I learned more about the Jewish community, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

Being employed at Jewish Family Service is a special position with unique opportunities. My favorite part of the job is when I become part of someone else’s tribe, when someone opens their heart and shares their experiences with me, when someone allows me to look behind the curtain and support them

I have walked with countless individuals and families through difficult seasons of life and through some of the greatest moments of their lives. I have worked with famous people and a few infamous people. But mostly I work with ordinary people who need a little extra support. I truly care about each person who I have the privilege to work with.

I will never truly know the impact of my work with individuals, but I do know and recognize the impact this community has had on me. I have created lasting relationships within the community that support me personally and professionally. I have been inspired by watching entire families raise their children and grandchildren to know the value of a mitzvah. I have been immersed in Jewish values that has affected all areas of my life. I am a bet -

I have felt loved and supported every day of these 25 years. The Jewish Community is family to me. When I am struggling or having a tough day, all I have to do is leave my office and go into the community. I can always find a smiling face and the strength to move forward. While I may not be a Jew, I am Jew-ish and a member of this tribe.

I want to extend an open invitation to anyone who does not know me or would like to get to know me better, to reach out. I want to know you. I want to support you.

Thank you to this community for loving me for 25 years. •

Toni Jacobsen is the clinical director of Jewish Family Service of Nashville. She recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with JFS and was honored with this year’s Chesed Award.

Nashville Holocaust Memorial Recognizes Donors

By FELICIA ANCHOR, CHAIR OF NASHVILLE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

Recent visitors to the Gordon Jewish Community Center Campus, may have noticed a great deal of activity in the far-left corner of the parking lot where the entrance to the Nashville Holocaust Memorial is located. And those who have not yet visited or have not seen it recently are invited to stop by. The Memorial is available for visiting at your leisure anytime the GJCC is open and Docent led tours are conducted by appointment. It is there as a reminder for all of us.

The Memorial, which welcomes hundreds of visitors from all over the world each year, is undergoing significant expansion and enhancement, including expanded seating and landscaping. Soon

a new version of the self-guided tour will be available as well as an updated educational and information website. The website will continue to recognize the name of every person on the 12 Memorial Walls and their connection to a Nashville family member.

The Memorial is funded solely by donors and to show appreciation to donors who have generously contributed $1,000 or more in the last three years, personalized brick recognition are being installed. The pavers will follow the walkway from the Memorial entrance to the main plaza area.

We are living in turbulent times. For many, there is a deep personal concern that the shadow of history may be lurking. For almost 20 years, our Memorial has fulfilled a unique community role. While originally intended as a place to

honor and remember loved ones lost in the Holocaust, it has evolved into an educational center and community beacon that focuses on a crucial message: What we do and how we act can change our present and future. We know the Nashville Holocaust Memorial is the address where that conversation begins.

While all donations to the Memorial are deeply appreciated, gifts of $1,000 or more received by July 30 will be

recognized in the paver installation. Gifts can be made to the Nashville Holocaust Memorial Fund at the Gordon Jewish Community Center or by visiting the Memorial website: Nashvilleholocaustmemorial.org. All gifts are tax deductible. Please join with your support no matter what that amount may be. It is more crucial now than ever. We hope to hear from you by July 30. •

Toni Jacobsen, clinical director of JFS, celebrates 25 years of serving the community.

Nashville’s Holocaust Memorial is undergoing updating and landscaping.

The Gordon JCC Annual Meeting reflected on the last year and welcomed new leadership

By RACHEL CLARK, GORDON JCC DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

On Sunday, June 8, members of the Gordon Jewish Community Center gathered for the organization’s 2025 Annual Meeting, enjoying a morning of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to the future.

The event marked the official installation of new board officers, including incoming president Dara Freiberg, who follows outgoing president Jeremy Brook. Brook opened the program with a heartfelt speech highlighting his two years of leadership, particularly focusing on the early stages of the JCC’s evolving strategic plan.

Executive Director Jesse Feld, now completing his first year in the role, offered a look back at the past twelve months with a slideshow of community events and milestones. From pool parties to holiday gatherings, the images reflected the energy and connection that define life at the J.

In her first remarks as board president, Freiberg shared her deep personal ties to the JCC world, recounting how she grew up at the JCC in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, where her mother helped launch the center. Adorable photos of her childhood ballet class drew smiles and laughter from the crowd. She went on to describe her own family’s journey at the Gordon JCC, which began when her oldest son was a baby. Freiberg expressed

enthusiasm for helping guide the J into its next chapter, with an emphasis on revitalizing volunteer culture and deepening community involvement.

Officers installed for the coming year include:

President: Dara Freiberg

President-Elect: Evan Nahmias

Vice President: Kelly Unger

Treasurer: Aaron Epstein

Secretary: Joel Abramson

Past President: Jeremy Brook

WEST END

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The JCC also welcomed four new board members: John Jivens, Adam Mittelberg, Alexa Schankerman, and David Whelan.

A highlight of the morning was the presentation of the Kehillah Award for Teen Leadership, celebrating youth who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the community.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of staff service milestones, honoring the individuals whose dedication

makes the Gordon JCC thrive. Among those celebrated were:

5 Years of Service

Joe Gaines, Security

Kristen Bendheim, Fitness Instructor

Luby Zivak, Facilities Maintenance

10 Years

Gail Zelizer, Membership

Kathy Dokecki, Membership

20 Years

Karen Malone, Fitness Instructor

George Soare, Fitness Staff & Instructor

25 Years

Carolyn Rudin, Fitness Staff & Instructor

40 Years

Sandra Mullins, Early Childhood Learning Center

A standing ovation followed the recognition of Sandra Mullins for her remarkable 40 years of service. A beloved presence in the ECLC, Sandra has shaped generations of young learners with care, wisdom, and joy, her impact resonating throughout the JCC community.

The morning closed with a light brunch and conversations filled with gratitude, inspiration, and anticipation for what lies ahead. •

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Outgoing President Jeremy Brook inducts Dara Freiberg, Kelly Unger, Aaron Epstein, and Joel Abramson as our new President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

A Rabbi and a Doctor Discuss the Elements of Confidentiality

By RABBI MARK SCHIFTAN AND DR. FRANK BOEHM

F

rank: So often I hear about someone’s character, which are the traits that represent a person’s moral and ethical beliefs and behavior. There are several adjectives that help define character and any one of them could be used to describe a person of good or not so good character. They primarily include honesty and integrity, however, there are others such as trustfulness, kindness, humility, patience, generosity, and respectfulness. If we meet the criteria of one or more of these qualities, we are often described by associates, friends and loved ones as having a “fine character.” If we do not meet any of these qualities, we are described as someone lacking in character. Mark, I wonder what your thoughts are in how we, as a society, describe someone’s character, since when life ends for each of us, I am sure that we would all like to be thought of as someone who was a mensch and who displayed the attributes of “good character”.

Mark: In many ways, the quality of one’s character is the exterior reflection of the goodness of one’s soul. Character is the measurement taken of one’s integrity, judgement, empathy, trustworthiness, and a host of other qualities that deem one worthy of another person’s trust and equally ensures a sense of confidence in that person’s worthiness.

In Jewish tradition, the Yiddish word we often use for character is menschlichtkeit, a person who acts with decency, integrity, and with an unwavering degree of honesty in one’s interactions with another human being. We refer to this superb kind of individual as a mensch. A mensch is the type of exemplary individual who will always act with honor and unimpeachable integrity.

The greatest persons of good character, in Jewish tradition, carry an even higher title of honor: they are referred

PLAN YOUR

…so that it’s not just a fairy tale.

INTUITION: TO TRUST OR NOT TO TRUST?

By LORETTA SAFF

Sometimes you say you just ‘feel’ it. You think it’s a signal. You know that when you meet someone new, you’ll sense immediately

to as Tzaddikim, or righteous ones, who never fail to make the right ethical choices, even under the most difficult of circumstances. Frank, it seems to me that one of the important qualities of a person of good character is the ability to keep and protect another person’s confidence or secret. Do you agree with this assessment, and if so, why?

Frank: I believe you have made a critical point in stating that an essential element of having good character is the trust that is built in a relationship that values and honors the maintenance of sensitive shared information. There is a comical adage that states, “I can keep a secret, but it is the people I tell who cannot!” That may be humorous; however, it does explain why it is so difficult to maintain secrecy. “Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”

As a physician, I lived in an environment that held sacred the principle of keeping information obtained in a doctor- patient relationship from reaching anyone other than other providers of the patient’s health care. It is also true that you lived in a similar environment, yet here we are talking about something different. When a friend tells me something that is personal and sensitive, whether they ask me to say anything to others or not, I pledge to myself that their information will remain in my “vault” for as long as I live. Trust takes time to become a firm foundation in a relationship and it is this pledge over time that helps build that trust.

I have always loved the saying, “If man is God’s gift to the world, then being a mensch is man’s gift to God.” Being a mensch takes many good qualities of human behavior, and being trusted to maintain confidentiality is clearly one of the most important that exemplifies man’s gift to God. It also helps identify a person of good character.

Mark: Frank, I fully empathize with the role that confidentiality plays regard-

if that person can be your friend.

You may even say you have a little ESP (Extra Sensory Perception). But does it always give you the right answer? Here’s an email question I received last week:

Dear Loretta,

I’m 55 years old, still working and getting a little bored. I’m happily married. My finances are good, and I may leave full-time work next year.

The problem is that I am very intuitive. I can figure people out right away, like who’s a phony and who’s genuine. I want to be with people who are real. But they aren’t easy to find.

As people get older and retire, I think they become insecure and sometimes hide behind stuff. When I sense that, I just walk away.

Now, I feel stuck. How much should I trust my intuition when looking for new friends?

Thanks, Scott, the Friend Seeker

Here was my answer:

Hello Scott,

Choosing new friends for your “Happily Ever After” requires more than a feel-

ing character, in your case, particularly in the physician- patient relationship. This also holds true in the relationship between rabbi and congregant. That sense of confidence, and confidentiality, within the walls of the rabbi’s study, is magnified by the many important and urgent reasons why congregants wish to share very personal information with their rabbi.

The whole reason they are willing to share privileged information with their clergy is the sense of profound, unwavering trust that they place in that relationship. What is disclosed within the walls of that study, has more to say about the character of the rabbi, and the trust in that relationship, then any other venue, or any other person with whom they are willing to share their deepest fears and darkest realities.

Sometimes, it is an older couple that comes to share medical news that is troubling, or heartbreaking concerns about legal difficulties of their grown children. Other times, it is just one spouse who enters the rabbi’s study, to share stories of infidelity or impropriety. Often it is the adult children of aging parents, who express specific concerns about their parent’s well-being and their safety as they approach their final chapter of life. Or it is a bar or bat mitzvah student who is struggling with anxiety or despair, or the ongoing pressures of growing up in the face of social or scholastic difficulties. In any of these cases, unless there are ethical or legal concerns, those confidences are sacrosanct.

Often, I knew things about one member of the family, while needing to look at other family members in the eye and show not the slightest hint, nor convey even the most oblique thought or reflection, that might disclose or violate a confidence shared with me by another member of their family. That sacred trust, between rabbi and congregant, is the strongest test of the degree of one’s

ing. It requires kindness and understanding. Everyone faces challenges, so it’s unfair to make quick judgments based on first impressions, regardless of your intuition.

I’m wondering how you approach your search. What are the criteria used to make it on your ‘possible friends’ list? I hope it’s to find common interests, not to judge a person by the looks of his partner or his brand of bourbon.

Intuition, after all, is an automatic response. It is based on your past experiences and subconscious processing. Yes, it can help you decide what’s acceptable and what’s not. But it’s not always right.

A good idea is to use it simply as a guide. Give yourself – and the other person – a chance.

Consider these four hints:

• Pay attention to how this new person is making you feel. Are you comfortable or uneasy?

• Listen to that intuitive voice and ask yourself why you are feeling that way. Make sure you are not judging or competing.

• Observe how that person behaves. Does he listen and ask you questions?

character, the very nature of one’s ability to demonstrate that vault of knowledge that is ironclad and fully sealed and locked away.

Sometimes, people would come to see me not about their own family, but about other members of our Temple family. That is, they may have heard a story, or a rumor, about another member of the congregation. Sometimes there might be a degree of truth to what they had heard, which I could neither confirm nor deny to them. Other times, there was no verifiable veracity to what they were reporting or alleging about another member of the congregation. Here, too, I need to maintain not only their confidence, but even more importantly, anything I knew about the person to whom they were referring, out of a sense of profound moral obligation to the confidentiality of that information.

Even if there was a shred of truth to what was disclosed, I am neither judge nor jury. We are taught to view others with a “kaf zechut” — a scale of merit, to give them the benefit of the doubt, to bend towards mercy. The same holds true when hearing of a congregant’s illness: We may listen, but it is not acceptable to act on the shared information as it would be a violation of the privacy of the one who has chosen not to make that information public.

Frank: Such is the critical importance of confidentiality as a component of character in the work that both of us have engaged in. However, it is also a significant component of the interactions we have outside our professions. Trustfulness is one of the important aspects of having good character. As it has been said: Challenges do not build character. They reveal it. •

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

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

Notice kindness and courtesy.

• Challenge your intuitive response with other factors. Think about what you may have in common – maybe you have a dog and his kid has a horned lizard…, ok, both are pets! A mutual respect is essential.

Remember to treat your intuition as a guide. From now on, YOU be the person who starts conversations with new people. You’ll be surprised at what can happen if you don’t just walk away. After all, everyone needs friends.

Keep seeking, Loretta

Too often something puts us ‘off,’ and we miss opportunities that could offer new friendships and fun adventures. Try hard to simply turn down the volume on your inner voice. Then give the person another chance.•

Enjoy the search!

Loretta

loretta@coachingwithloretta.com

Extra credit: Listen to Carole King’s, You’ve Got a Friend.

Sydney Grossman Appointed to Hillel International Student Cabinet

By SHANNON SMALL

Sydney Grossman, a dedicated and dynamic student leader at Vanderbilt Hillel, has been selected to join the Hillel International Student Cabinet, an esteemed body representing over 140,000 Jewish students across 850 campuses worldwide. Her appointment places her at the forefront of shaping Jewish life on Vanderbilt’s campus and supporting Hillel International’s mission to enrich the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.

Each year, the Student Cabinet is composed of a diverse cohort that reflects a broad spectrum of Jewish backgrounds, geographic regions, campus experiences, and academic disciplines. Members are carefully chosen for their leadership potential, passion for Jewish

community building, and commitment to inclusion and representation. As part of this year’s Cabinet, Sydney will contribute to a global conversation about the needs and aspirations of Jewish students in today’s world.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Sydney—a dedicated student leader and former President of Vanderbilt Hillel. Her passion and drive are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things she’ll accomplish this year,” says Ari Dubin, Executive Director, Vanderbilt Hillel.

Sydney and her fellow Cabinet

members will work in four key areas: spearheading initiatives for student leaders, partnering with Hillel International professionals, and serving on task forces.

Sydney’s selection is a testament to her passion for the Vanderbilt Jewish community, her vision for Jewish life on campus, and her potential to influence global Jewish student engagement.

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Hillel International Student Cabinet! Vanderbilt Hillel has been such a safe and supportive place for me to grow as a

student and a leader, and I am excited to work with peers from around the world to help other Jewish students have a home at their campus Hillel like I have,” says Sydney.

As a member of this influential Cabinet, she joins a network of student changemakers dedicated to fostering vibrant, inclusive, and empowered Jewish communities around the world. The first Cabinet meeting will take place during the Student Cabinet Fall Summit in Washington, D.C., from August 17–20, 2025. This summit will provide an opportunity for Cabinet members to engage in leadership development, collaborate on initiatives, and strengthen the global Jewish student community. Congratulations to Sydney on this incredible achievement and the exciting journey ahead! •

Celebrating Youth Leadership: 2025 Kehillah Award Honors Nashville Teens

E

ach year, the Kehillah Award shines a spotlight on exceptional Jewish high school seniors in Nashville who embody leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to their community. This year’s honorees, Henry Ruben and Lexi Straus, continue that proud tradition with remarkable accomplishments and inspiring visions for the future.

Henry Ruben, a James Lawson High School senior and grandson of past recipient Judge Leon Ruben (1952), is a standout both in and out of the classroom. From maintaining a perfect unweighted 4.0 GPA and excelling in student government, photography, and baseball, to leading as president of Athens of the South AZA for four terms, Henry’s dedication is unmatched. Advisors describe him as “a kind, genuine,

Henry Ruben Lexi Straus

hardworking leader” who truly represents the spirit of the Jewish community.

Lexi Straus, graduating from University School of Nashville, brings a strong voice to Jewish advocacy. Her studies at Alexander Muss High School in Israel sparked a passion for combatting antisemitism. Lexi has served as president of JSU, interned with Stand With Us, and

Gordon JCC Adult Program Happenings:

TGIT – July 2025

July 3rd – Calentano Band

Enjoy the wonderful sounds of The Calentano Band. Instrumental Mexican music from the ’20’s and ’30’s with narration in between to explain a bit more about the songs by Holly Tashian.

Lunch: Tomato soup, sandwiches, chips, Birthday Cake and Ice Cream

July 10th – Donna Colelli

Art teacher and therapist, Donnna Colelli founding meade of Mneme (Pronounced “Nemma”) Therapy. She will show examples of client artworks and stories about the benefits of this one-toone modality along with a short video of the process.

Lunch: Pizza, salad, sides, dessert

July 17th – Jacki Orkin

Comedian Jacki Orkin makes their comic debut at TGIT. If you are in the mood to laugh and have a good time,

today is your day. No hecklers allowed!

Lunch: Chicken, salad, sides, dessert

July 24th – Dixon Center for Integrative Health Care

Dr. Derek and his team will be here to tell you all about Dixon Center for Integrative Health Care. It is their mission to help improve the life and overall whole-body health of each of their patients. They will educate us how to prolong our own health, decrease chronic conditions, and tell us how they help realign the body’s systems and functionality.

Lunch: Salmon, salad, sides, dessert

July 31st – Meryl Rudy

Back by popular demand, musician Merly Rudy. Engaging and entertaining, singer/songwriter Meryl Rudy will surely entertain us all with her wonderful array of original songs and cover tunes.

Lunch: Baked potato, salad, sides, dessert •

organized a Holocaust education seminar for young students. As she eloquently wrote, leadership is about “creating space for others to learn, connect, and grow.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Doyne Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation, each recipient receives a

$500 award to support their educational journeys. At the ceremony, the crowd joined together with a heartfelt “Yasher Koach” to recognize not only Henry and Lexi, but all of this year’s senior nominees—each one a beacon of promise in the Jewish community. •

Sydney Grossman selected as to join Hillel International Student Cabinet.

Thank you!

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, on behalf of the 14 participating organizations in the LIFE & LEGACY™ program, recognizes our community members who have chosen to leave a legacy to secure the future of our community. As we celebrate the end of Year 8 of the program, our community has secured over 841 letters of intent with an estimated value of $25 million.  Thank you for your support!

of Greater Nashville

Blue means donor has formalized gift as of June 1, 2025

Anonymous (31)

Anonymous (42)

Stephen and Robin Abelman

Richard and Patricia Abelson

Ken Adler

Kevin and Theresa Alexandroni

Barry Allen

Heidi Allen

Peter Allingham

Judy Allington-Baum

Denise Alper

Phyllis Alper, Estate of K.N. and Felicia Anchor

Avishay Aroas

Harvey Asher

Lawrence A. Averbuch

Richard Barnett

Carla Baron

Howard and Joy Baum

Gil Ben Ami

Adele Berkon

Minnie Berlin, Estate of

Ann Bernard, Estate of

Tommy Bernard

Brian and Didi Biesman

Merle Born

Jeremy and Jamie Brook

Louis H. Brooks, Estate of

Starlet Burney

Kathryn F. Calhoon

Marjean Coddon and Henry Johs

Lynne Cohen

Marcia Cohen

Mark A. and Robin Cohen

Richard and Teena Cohen

Sandy Cohen

Terri Z. Cohen

Victoria Cohen-Crumpton

Erin Coleman

Micah Coleman

Pamela Compton

Lanie and Bill (z”l) Cook

Lauren Cooper

Renette and Abe Corenswet (z”l)

Mary Cornelius and Elaine Taubin

John M. and Barbara Dab

Karen Daniel

Norman and Melissa Davis

Michael Doochin

Ben and Tish Doochin

Karen A. Dotter

Adam and Julie Dretler

Michael and Mindy Drongowski

Ari Dubin and Abigail Wolf

Jerry A. Dubin and Rabbi

Debbie Israel

Chris Ehresman and Beth Davis

Steven (z”l) and Gay Eisen

Dan and Jill Eisenstein

Jason Elbaz

William E. Engel

Richard Eskind

Billy and Jamie Eskind

David and Vicki Estrin

Kevin and Andrea Falik

Jesse and Anna Feld

Stan Schklar and Marco

Fernandez

Suriva Fischer

James and Royce Fishel

Brad and Lori Fishel

Nancy Gail Flexer

Richard and Lisa B. Forberg

Julie Fortune and Tony Jackson

Gilbert III and Joyce (z”l) Fox

Gil Fox (z”l)

Marilyn G. Foyer

Gary and Carol Fradkin

Joe Freedman

Mark S. Freedman and Leslie J.

Klein

Dara Freiberg

Donald A. and Joyce E.

Friedman

Eitan and Nili Friedman

Robert Friedman

Lawrence B. Fuldauer

Ron and Faith Haber Galbraith

Elliott Garrett

Linda Geringer

Frank and Barbara Ghertner

Harris A. Gilbert

Natalie Glazer

Mark Glazer and Cindy Stone

Bruce Howard Gold

Michael and Cindee S. Gold

Charles R. Goldberg

Mark Goldfarb

Dr. Fred and Martha U. Goldner (z”l)

Dan and Amy Goldstein

Deana Goldstein

Kimberly Goldstein

Bernie Goldstein (z”l)

Lenn E. and Roberta Goodman

Frank and Gwen Gordon

Joel C. Gordon (z”l)

Robert Gordon

Lorna Graff

Ralph Greenbaum

Julie Greenberg

Illene B. Gross

Daniel Grossman

Michael Gryll

Reta Guttman (z”l)

Rinah Hamberger

Jim Handler

Grant Hansell

Shayna Hansen

Brianna Harper

Spencer Harper

John and Heidi Hassenfeld

Rachel Hauber

Ron and Lynn Heady

Steve and Sandra Hecklin

David Heller

Eugene (z”l) and Reva Heller

Richard and Toni Heller

Greg Hersh

Bruce and Rae Hirsch

Steven and Ellen Hirsch

Gary Hirschberg and Hannah Bloom

Doug and Melanie Hirt

Kenneth and Mindy Hirt

Adam and Ilana Horn

Rabbi Daniel and Eliezah Hoffman

Anita Howards

Aryeh Hurwitz

Larry and Carol Hyatt

Seth and Sharone Hyatt

Raymond and Nancy Jacobs

Gail Gordon Jacobs

Shoshana Jaffa

Marsha Jaffa

Mary Loventhal Jones

Frances Kaminitz, Estate of Rabbi Kenneth A. Kanter

Aron and Batia Karabel

Jeffrey & Brenda Karp

Jackie Karr

Marion A. Katz (z”l)

Dr. Steve Kaufman

Saul and Pam Kelner

Paula Kholos

Judy Kilgore

Lloyd King

Terry Klein King

Leslie Kirby and Craig Smith (z”l)

Howard Kirschner

Robert and Devora Kitchener

Ruth Klar

Marvin and Evelyn Koch

Laurence B. Koch (z”l)

Martin A and Sherri G. Kooperman

Alan Koufer

Keith and Meryl Kraft

Lee and Glenda Kraft

Rabbi Joshua Kullock

Gus Kuhn, Estate of

Adam and Valerie Landa

Jeremy and Diana Landa

Roslyn B. Landa

Brian and Kim Lapidus

Stephen and Leslye K. Lapidus

Joseph A. Lattke

Michael and Arielle Lebovitz

Paul and Ruth Lebovitz

Matt Leff

Aaron and Celia Lerch

Daniel and Kristine Levin

Lawrence and Carolyn Levine

Michael and Sherrie Levine

Mark Edward Levitch, Estate of

Michael J. and Ellen G. Levitt

Ruth Levitt

Bennett Lieberman

George Lieberman

Phil Lieberman and Yedida

Eisenstat

Jan Abby Liff

Martin and Ann Light

Mitchell Light

Alex and Bobbie Limor

Miri Limor

Menachem and Lea Limor (z”l)

Yuri Livshitz

Sheldon and Diana Lutz

James Mackler

Josh and Rena Malkovsky-Berger

Brian and Victoria Marger

Dru Markle-Bloom

James A. and Patrice G. Marks

Andrew May

Jack May

Martin and Barbara Mayden

Marisa Mayhan

Monica McCready

Sara Melamed

Warren Melamed

Robert and Bonnie Miller

Scott Miller

Steve Morris

Irene Nagrotsky

Evan Nahmias

Norma Neaderthal, Estate of

Jacob R. and April Nemer

Robert and Martha L. Nemer

Simon and Lisa Newman

Harvey J. and Barbara H. Olsher

Scott and Anna-Gene O’Neal

Richard Orland and LaQuita

Martin

Laurel Orley

Susan Pankowsky

Andy Pargh

Bernard and Maria Pargh

Franklin Pargh

Frank and Elaine Parker (z”l)

Moises and Sharon Paz

Joe Perlen

Arthur and Lisa Perlen

Maxine Perlen

Dr. Stewart and Suzy Perlman

Ralph Pilsk, Estate of Jessica Pinsly

Jonathan Poster and Leora Horn

Stephen J. and Ellen Vinocur Potash

Peter S. (z”l) and Ruth G. Pressman

David and Edria Ragosin

Marsha Raimi

Sylvia Rapoport

Virginia W. Rapoport (z”l)

Steven and Esther Remer

Rabbi Flip and Rabbi Laurie Rice

Thomas and Audrey Rice

Dudley and Peggy Richter

Evan Rittenberg

Stephen S. Riven

Bruce C. Robins

Van Robins

Russ and Leslie Robinson

Michael and Ellen Rosen

Betty Lee Rosen, Estate of Scott Rosenberg

S. Trent Rosenbloom and Ellie Weiss

Rodney and Lynne L. Rosenblum

Mark and Carla Rosenthal

Jon and Iris Rotker

Howard C. Rubin

Marilyn Rubin

Eileen Ruchman

Ben and Marissa Russ

Freya M. Sachs

Eugene and Ruthi Sacks

Larry Sacks

Kenneth and Marla Sanderson

Michael Sanderson

Andy and Laura Saul

Laura P. Saul

Leslie Sax

Mark and Goldie Shepard

Mike and Lisa Shmerling

Phillip and Laura Shmerling

Richard and Molly Schneider

Andrew and Rachel Schulman

James and Suzanne Schulman

Barbara W. Schwartz, Estate of

Charlotte Seloff

Faye Serkin (z”l)

Joan Shayne

Martin H. Singer

Brian and Shannon Small

Doug and Bonnie Small

Elise Small

Robert Smith

Russell and Judith Smith

Larry and Barbara Speller

Nan E. Speller

Shirley Speyer

Avi and Rachel Spielman

Dr. Richard and Dr. Adele Stein

David Steine, Jr.

Sarah K. Sten

Lee T. and Marcia Stewart

Eric Stillman

Hope S. Stringer

Rabbi Saul Strosberg and Rabba

Daniella Pressner

Elaine Taubin

Andrea Thaler

Ted Thaler

Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel

Alyssa Trachtman

Michelle Trachtman

Sy Trachtman (z”l)

Cynthia Trainer

Debra Turriciano

Jacob and Kelly Unger

Joyce Vice, Estate of Adam and Katie Wayne

Howard L. and Karen Weil

Rami and Janet Weismark

Chaim Weitman

Daniel Weitz

Melissa Werthan

Moshe and Libby Werthan

Rachel Whitney

Titus and Christie Wiemers

Richard and Beth Wise

Stuart and Debbie Wiston

Larry and Sally Wolfe (z”l)

Yoseph Yaffe

Uzi and Yaara Yemin

Greg and Erin Zagnoev

Rebekah Zeitlin

Shirley Zeitlin

Bernard Zelenka

Alice Zimmerman, Estate of

Raymond and Etta Zimmerman

David M. Zolensky

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:

At Our Congregations…

Nashville’s congregations

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

Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, www.chabadnashville.com

Congregation Micah, www.congregationmicah.org

Congregation Sherith Israel, www.sherithisrael.com

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

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

@ Chabad /Congregation Beit Tefilah

In G-d We Trust July Fourth, Kosher BBQ

Chabad of Nashville will host the “In G-d We Trust - July Fourth Kosher BBQ” on Sunday, July 6, at 5:00 PM, and invites the Nashville community to join the celebration of the Independence of the United States of America.

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

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

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

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

Meet in Person for Prayer and Cholent

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

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

Chabad to host two TGIS celebration in July

Start your Shabbat off right with good friends, great conversation, and excellent kosher cuisine, all seasoned with the perfect amount of spirit and joy. TGIS is a Club Med Shabbat: An all-inclusive Shabbat experience. Enjoy a Friday night Shabbat dinner replete with traditional dishes. Blended with spirited singing, a Chasidic tale, and a chance to meet some wonderful new people. TGIS will be held on Friday evening, July 11 and 25, at 6:30 PM at Chabad of Nashville.

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

@ Micah

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

Weekly Events

Sanctuary Shabbat Services: Fridays at 6 PM

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

Saturday Morning Torah Study: 9 AM on Zoom

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

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

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

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

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

July Events

Micah Reads: Monday, July 21 at 7 PM on Zoom

Education Director Julie Greenberg leads the discussion on “The Marriage Box” by Corie Adjmi.

@ Sherith Israel

For regular service information, please visit www.sherithisrael.com

@ The Temple

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

Shabbat Schedule for July 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, July 4th -6:00 PM – Red, White & Blue Jean Shabbat with a Special Festive Oneg Friday, July 11th- 6:00 PM- Family Shabbat Service with Birthday Blessings Friday, July 18th-6:00 PM- Song Writers Shabbat Friday, July 25th-6:00 PM- Blue Jean Shabbat

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

Songwriters Shabbat

July 18th at 6:00pm

For the ninth year in a row, The Temple is excited for Songwriter’s Shabbat on Friday, July 18th at 6:00pm - a fun Shabbat service featuring music written by our own Temple members! This service has become a beloved tradition in our Temple community and we look forward to a night of beautiful music and pride in our Temple family.

You can also watch via zoom from https://www.templenashville.org/virtualprogramming.html

Golden Lunch Bunch

Our Golden Lunch Bunch will meet at Temple from 11:30-1:00pm on

• July 1st – Sarah Gargano | Singer-songwriter

• July 15th- Layla Frankel | Americana vocalist

RSVP to Jewish Family Service at 615-354-1686 or via email at helpinghands@ jfsnashville.org

Continued on page 15

@ The Temple

Continued from page 14

Women’s Torah Study

July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st

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/virtual-programming.htmlLunch with the Rabbi

July, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st

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/virtualprogramming.html

Monday Mah Jongg

Join us for MAH JONGG Mondays at The Temple!

July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

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.

“Holocaust”

Every Tuesday in July at 3:30pm we will watch an episode of the 5-part 1978 Award-Winning TV miniseries “Holocaust”. Discussions led by Steve Lefkovitz will take place on the first and last session, July 1st and 29th. All are welcome!

Ballad Bingo Night at Sports and Social on July 9th

Temple is going to Green Hills Sports & Social for Ballad Bingo at 7:00pm!

Temple Together Progressive Dinner on July 12th

Back by popular demand! Come join other adults 35-50(ish) for a Progressive Dinner! We meet at Temple at 6:00pm for appetizers, go to dinner at local restaurants in small groups, and meet up at Jeni’s in the Nations for dessert. Email Sheri (sheri@ templenashville.org) to reserve your spot.

Nashville Diaper Connection on July 13th

Temple is volunteering at Nashville Diaper Connection on July 13th from 10:00am-noon. Come help wrap diapers and make a difference in our community. Must be 12 to volunteer. Reach out to Sheri (sheri@templenashville.org) to reserve your spot!

50’s & 60’s Social Club & Chai Society Movie Event on July 13th

Join Temple members in their 50’s and above to watch “God and Country” and have a discussion led by Steve Lefkovitz. This event will be on July 13th at 2:00pm at Temple. It costs $5 – you can register at https://www.templenashville.org/form/ GodandCountry .

@ West End

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

7/11 – Potluck Shabbat – 6:00 p.m.

Join us for dinner following Kabbalat Shabbat services (6:00-7:00 p.m.). Bring a dairy or pareve dish to share. RSVP to spaz@westendsyn.org. Weather permitting, we may dine outside!

7/18 – It’s Shabbat – 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.

Religious Services

Shacharit (in person)

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

At Our

Torah Study with Breakfast

Begins immediately after minyan on Thursdays, typically around 7:40 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! •

Community Listings

B’nai B’rith Social Unit

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 event will be our annual summer Picnic in the park on August 24th.

For more information, contact Joyce Levin at joylevin8@gmail.com or Gil Fox at gsfox3@comcast.net.

Looking for a new kind of exercise indoors in the hot summer?

Enjoy good music and great camaraderie learning Israeli dancing in the air-conditioned GJCC. In addition to Israeli dances, you’ll learn dances from many other countries, too, including Yemen, Morocco, Greece, Spain, Ireland, and others. Dancing is good for a healthy brain and a healthy body. Meet new friends at this no-cost, fun activity. When and Where?

Wednesday evening in the Dance Studio at the GJCC 5:45 - 6:15 pm Beginners/easy dancing – no experience needed! 6:15 - 7:15 pm Intermediate/advanced dancing.

Questions? Email Judy Given @ given223@bellsouth.net

Friday morning in the JCC gym (you don’t have to be a JCC member to participate) 11:30 am – 12:45 pm Intermediate and advanced

Questions? Email Evelyn Koch @ kochevelyn@hotmail.com

NCJW

Wednesday, July 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

At a private home in Whitland/West End

Join NCJW Nashville and Hadassah Nashville as we make boxes for new Kindergarten students. Through a partnership with PENCIL, students will receive needed supplies to welcome them into the new school year. Registration is requested at https://www.ncjwnashville.org/events/

Widowers & Widows Social Group

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. •

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

Revere Montessori Pre-school Celebrates Another Great Year

I

t’s hard to believe we’ve reached the final month of our school year.

Summer is a time of celebration, reflection, and of course, water play at the Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool. The children and families at the Jewish Montessori Preschool had such a wonderful year growing, learning, and laughing together.

A few spots remain for the fall, starting in August. For more information please call 615-646-5750 or email chabadnashvilleoffice@gmail.com •

Soak Up the Summer at the J: July Poolside Events You Don’t Want to Miss

There’s no better place to spend a summer day—or night—than the Gordon JCC’s outdoor pool. This July, we’re bringing the fun with a packed schedule of poolside events for all ages. Whether you’re diving into the deep end or just enjoying the music and sunshine, there’s something for everyone at the J. And, as always, Shabbat at the Pool will take place every Friday evening from 5-6:45pm.

Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, July 4 | Fourth of July DJ | 12–2pm

Celebrate Independence Day poolside with a live DJ spinning summer hits. Grab your red, white, and blue, and enjoy music, sunshine, and community fun while you cool off.

Saturday, July 12 | Songwriters Night | 6:30–8pm

An evening of live music from local talent, performed right on our pool deck as the sun sets. This event is ticketed, with food and drinks available for purchase. Come lounge, listen, and experience Nashville’s songwriting spirit in a whole new setting.

Tickets and details: nashvillejcc.org/ summer

Sunday, July 13 | Mermaid Karaoke | 2–4pm

Calling all performers and mermaidsat-heart! Our family-friendly karaoke afternoon includes whimsical poolside fun, splashy singalongs, and underwater inspiration for kids and adults alike.

Sunday, July 20 | Camp Davis Family Day

A special celebration for our Camp Davis community. Campers and their families are invited to enjoy the pool together and make the most of the summer season. Expect games, snacks, and plenty of camp ruach.

NEW ADDRESS:

4515 Harding Pike Suite #112 Nashville, TN 37205

Covenant Capital Group Building

www.bellemeadejewelry.net 615-269-3288

Book Your Appointment Today!

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

Thursday, July 24 | Grown-Up Swim

Meet | 5:15–8pm

It’s adults-only and highly competitive (or not—your choice). Whether you’re racing for bragging rights or just cheering from the sidelines, our grownup swim meet is an unforgettable evening of fun, relays, and post-race refreshments.

Sunday, July 27 | BBYO Popsicle Party

Teens, this one’s for you! Beat the heat with cold treats and cool vibes at the BBYO Popsicle Party. A great chance to connect, relax, and enjoy the final days of summer break.

Join us all month long as we bring the heat—and the fun—to the pool. For tickets, updates, and more information, visit nashvillejcc.org/summer. •

SUPERL AT IVE

Reflections from the Ground in Israel

Continued from page 1

We booked our flight on United Airlines for June 4th from Newark to Tel Aviv only to have it canceled four days before the flight. Determined to go we rebooked with Delta for the same date.

It was seamless. We landed in Tel Aviv, took the high-speed train to Jerusalem, then the escalators up about 10 flights and exited to a bustling downtown Jerusalem. It was the day of the gay pride parade, and the light rail was out of commission due to scheduled repairs. We used GETT (Israeli Uber system) to take a long cab ride through traffic to our hotel.

Not wanting to miss a second, we made our way to Machene Yehudah, the outdoor market in Jerusalem and loaded up with our favorite heathy veggies, nuts, fruits, & chocolate Halva. We visited with our grandson spending a year in Yeshiva, walked to the Kotel on Erev Shabbat and we walked to the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism on Shabbat morning. On Sunday we visited the Hatzalah (volunteer emergency services) offices. We saw the ambulance motorcycle that Bernie and Maria Pargh dedicated in honor of Beit Miriam School, and we felt so proud of our families and students who donated over $3,000 of their tzedakah money to Hatzalah this year!

Monday June 9th, we left for Tel Aviv for a 7:30 am guided tour of the Gaza envelope. We witnessed the memorial at the Nova festival site, the over 1500 burnt out cars, the memorial to those who died in the police station in Sderot, and saw the shattered kibbutzim from our van.

We made a quick stop at a “feeding station” created by volunteers to provide food and snacks for soldiers on break from Gaza and had a chance to chat with some soldiers doing mileuim, reserve military service, in Gaza. We gave tzedakah to help the woman who cooked all the food for free which was especially meaningful to us.

The wedding started the following evening in Yafo at a beautiful venue called Bayit Al Hayam. It was a rooftop wedding overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We had to wait for the Muslim call to prayer from one of the local mosques prior to starting the wedding. Right before the chuppah, sirens went off and everybody went downstairs to the basement, until we got the all clear. It was the first of many sirens since we arrived. Other than the delays for Muslim prayers

Mitzpeh Netufah to visit a friend from Savannah, and to Haifa to visit Mazalit Haim, professor of Hebrew Literature at Vanderbilt where we were warmly greeted with a lavish lunch and a-walk on the beach.

Then it was off to Moshav Shdema to spend what we thought to be the last three and a half days of our stay in Israel. Our house on the moshav has a mamad (safe room) that we share with a family and their three young children.

and incoming missiles, the wedding was beautiful at sunset over Tel Aviv.

Israel is truly a country of mixed emotions. Everyone is cautious and life goes on with mutual support and a sense of purpose and resilience. Everyone agrees about Iran. So, as tired as everyone is of living with the threat of daily missiles, running to safe rooms, and COVID like restrictions, there is no choice about this war.

From Tel Aviv, we went to Kibbutz En Harod to visit family, then to

food bank to those in need. Next week we are scheduled to do similar volunteer work with Leket Israel at a food and supply distribution center near Tel Aviv and hope to meet up with Sam Jacobson, a former WES/Beit Miriam student and madrich (counselor) who is winding up miluim. We feel so fortunate to have the accommodations we have and not to be in a major population center.

And still Israel is a small country. We very much appreciate hearing from friends, family, and colleagues via WhatsApp, text messages and even FaceTime.

Rachel Stern, Birthright Participant:

Then everything changed. From Thursday June 12th until the writing of this article we have been in the mamad (safe room) three or so times a night plus some days for 10-to-20-minute stays prior to receiving the all clear text and returning to bed or our usual activities. The Israeli communication system to alert people is unbelievable. It identifies specific danger areas, so we know what alert applies to our specific area. I have to admit having anxiety the first couple of days. Not knowing when and where the missiles would strike, if, and when, we would be able to leave, if it was safe to roam about and explore the area and keeping glued to news 24/7 takes getting used to.

But we are adjusting to our new normal. Even thinking about leaving Israel is so emotional. Now that we are here it feels like it is where we should be. We have been exploring shops, shopping malls, and even had a tire change on our rental car.

We’ve made some friends in the moshav, been invited to Shabbat dinner and have had many conversations about potential missile attacks and which way Trump’s pending decision to get more involved will go.

We meet our neighbors in the duplex, and their kids nightly in a the mamad (safe room) for conversation and sometimes a nap. When we receive the all clear we return to our bedrooms.

Our daily walks turned into drives to Ashdod and Ashkelon for grocery shopping. We even found an organic market on our moshav. Lately we have seen more traffic. Yesterday it was announced that the stores could open. On our daily exploration trips, we experienced more shoppers and shopping centers are getting busy at least in our area of the country as life is returning to some normalcy. Schools are closed and tourist attractions are still closed. Everyone is attentive to potential alerts and locating shelter.

This week with some local “new” friends, we served as volunteers preparing food bags to be distributed by the

1. Was this your first trip to Israel?

I first came to Israel when I was nine years old for my brother’s bar mitzvah. I don’t remember much, but I do remember loving it. My second trip was my birthright trip in September 2024, which ended up being life changing. Visiting places like the Nova site during such a heavy time made everything more real and meaningful. It showed me just how deeply this land holds joy, heartbreak, and strength all at once.

2. What inspired you to participate in Birthright?

After my original Birthright trip in September and the events of October 7th, I felt this pull to come back and be of service. I had already participated in an art project through Partnership2gether and the Jewish Agency called, “Hinneni,” where I was connected with a family whose loved one was killed on October 7th. I was paired with Ori Locker Z”L. When I met his aunt in Tel Aviv to deliver the portrait, it felt like we had known each other for years. This trip gave me the chance to deliver the portrait to her in person, which was incredibly emotional and meaningful. More than anything, I felt a strong desire to contribute to Israel in a tangible way and to be with others who care about this place as much as I do. Doing mitzvot, helping others, and staying connected to the people here felt like the most important thing I could do.

3. How are you feeling now?

It’s been up and down ever since the war started. As I speak, I am in line to get on one of a few more flights home. I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed. I can tell my nervous system is stretched to its limit, so I’ve had to be extra mindful and give myself space when needed. Sometimes I’ll get hit with a sudden wave of emotion and must cry, and other times I feel completely numb. I’ve learned that both are normal ways of processing.

It’s been a huge growth experience for me and has allowed me to be more in touch with my mind and body and how to speak to yourself in times of crisis. As painful as some moments have been, I believe this was the best experience I could have had to grow as a young woman and I’m leaving Israel stronger, more empowered, and refined.

Paz family rooftop wedding in Tel Aviv Yaffo PHOTO CREDIT: SHARON PAZ

Memorial in Tel Aviv PHOTO CREDIT: SHARON PAZ

Sharon Paz packing beets PHOTO CREDIT: SHARON PAZ

Birthright Onward group PHOTO CREDIT: RACHEL STERN

One of the hardest moments was on the cruise ship when we were evacuating. I had a panic attack because I couldn’t contact anyone and felt completely isolated. But during that moment, I started thinking about the hostages. I realized if ten hours without control felt that hard for me, I can only imagine what they are going through. That thought didn’t take away my pain, but it helped me feel grounded and connected to something bigger. This was certainly an overarching theme of the trip.

4. What experience has made the biggest impact on you during this trip?

Meeting Ori Locker’s aunt and delivering his portrait was incredibly powerful. She welcomed me with so much love, like I was part of her family. We cried, we shared stories, and she gave me a glimpse into the kind of grief that stays with you long after the world moves on. Being in that space with her reminded me that showing up and holding someone’s pain is sometimes the most sacred thing you can do. Beyond that, volunteering had a huge impact on me. When someone asked me to describe the trip in one word, I said “presence.” As someone who deals with anxiety, volunteering helped me get out of my head and focus on others. That kind of presence was deeply healing.

5. Would you consider returning to Israel in the future?

Without a doubt. Even though we had to evacuate, and it was stressful, I felt sad to leave. My mom was so scared and probably wishes I wouldn’t return, but I feel like I belong there. Israel is the one place where I don’t feel like I have to explain or hide my Jewish identity.

When we landed in Frankfurt, we were told to hide anything that made us visibly Jewish. I understand why, but it hit me hard. Less than a hundred years ago, my grandparents had to do that in Europe, and now I’m doing the same. That contrast made me realize even more how important it is that Israel exists and that we continue showing up for it.

6. What are your overall thoughts about the current situation in Israel and the region?

I am praying that real change can happen in the region, starting with the fall of the Iranian regime. While it was difficult to be in Israel during this time, I feel honored that we were there. Being on the ground gave me a real sense of what people are living through. It reminded me how much truth can get lost when we’re only watching from far away. I believe we were meant to be there so we could come back and speak about it with honesty. This is history unfolding

in real time, and I feel lucky to have witnessed even a small part of it. I pray for peace, for healing, and for a future where we don’t have to live with so much fear.

7. Is there anything else you would like to add or share about your experience?

There was a woman at the Nova car cemetery who said something that stuck with me: “We fall because we are human. We get up quickly because we are Jewish.” That line became a theme for this trip. There were so many emotional highs and lows running to bomb shelters, dancing in the shelter afterward, lining up for evacuation, laughing with new friends, crying from exhaustion. Some days I felt everything at once. But through all of it, I kept thinking about how important it is to get back up and keep going. This experience showed me what resilience really looks like, and it gave me a deeper sense of pride in being part of something bigger than myself. I feel changed, and I’ll carry that with me always.

Cantor Josh Goldberg, Birthright participant:

1. Was this your first trip to Israel, and what inspired you to participate in Birthright?

This was my third trip. My last trip to Israel was a congregational one right before the war broke out in summer of 2023. Ever since then, I had been wanting to return as soon as I could do do something, anything, to help everyone impacted by the war. As soon as I heard Ziv was leading the charge for a volunteer trip with young adults in Nashville, I was immediately interested!

2. How are you feeling now?

Right now, I am still a little tired and trying to conserve energy—turns out not sleeping through the night for a week due to rocket-fire can really affect your sleep! Like many in our group, I am feeling grateful to be home and in a safe environment but also feeling a bit of survivor’s guilt. None of us really wanted to leave Israel and all the people there before doing everything we set out to do as volunteers. Many visitors are still trying to leave, and remarkably, many Israelis stuck abroad are still clamoring

Continued on page 20

Missiles fly overhead at night in Israel PHOTO CREDIT: RACHEL STERN

Reflections from the Ground in Israel

Continued from page 19

to get back. Even during a time of active warfare, they can’t wait to get back to their families and communities.

4. What experience has made the biggest impact on you during this trip?

The resilience of the Israeli people, which we witnessed firsthand, will stick with us forever. Despite every bomb, every setback, every reason they have to live in despair, they wake up every day and choose joy and life. This was evident how even after a night peppered with rocket-fire and shelter warnings, as soon as morning came and things cleared up, the coffee shops, and beaches of Tel Aviv slowly opened back up, and the city came

to life. One quote that stands out to me from our trip was “We fall down because we are human; we get back up quickly because we’re Jewish.”

5. Would you consider returning to Israel in the future?

I will definitely return to Israel. Obviously, I would prefer to go during a less chaotic time, but not a single person in our cohort regrets going on this trip despite the poor timing of escalation with Iran.

6. What are your overall thoughts about the current situation in Israel and the region?

It is tragic to see all the damage, destruction, and loss of life incurred with

every barrage of missiles in Israel. It’s clear how much Israel values life by how much resources and effort they make to keep their people safe. However, even with the Iron Dome, and all the many bomb shelters throughout each neighborhood, they are not impervious to attack. I hope and pray that Israel’s (and now the United States’) decision to attack Iran’s nuclear capabilities will be a net positive for Israel and the world in the long run, even though the fallout in the meantime has been devastating.

7. Is there anything else you would like to add or share about your experience?

This experience has really galvanized our support for and love for Israel. I hope that with what we have now experienced and internalized, we can continue to reframe the narrative going forward about Israel and its role in the Middle east as a beacon for justice, democracy, and hope.

Eva Marquis, Birthright participant:

1. What inspired you to participate in Birthright?

Since October 7th, I’ve felt a deep sense of helplessness and grief. I had been searching for a meaningful way to channel those emotions into action. Israel has always held a central place in my heart as the homeland of the Jewish people and a symbol of our strength and self-determination. In the wake of such tragedy, I felt an even stronger pull toward her. So, when this opportunity to volunteer in Israel came up, I didn’t hesitate for a second.

2. Was this your first trip to Israel?

This was my second trip to Israel. I first visited on a classic Birthright trip in July 2022. Being based in Tel Aviv this time gave me the chance to experience so much more of the city, which was overflowing with pride and unity. Everywhere we went, yellow flags, ribbons, and “Bring Them Home” signs honored the hostages still held in Gaza. This visit felt entirely different from my first. So much has changed in the past three years, and I returned with an even deeper pride in and connection to the land of Israel, along with a renewed commitment to advocate for her however I can.

3. How are you doing at this moment?

Exhausted, but hopeful and grateful. Our journey home was long and stressful, from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea, Ashdod, Cyprus, Cologne, Frankfurt, Atlanta, and finally Nashville. But the time we spent volunteering and simply being present with our people gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the criticism and hate Israel faces, I believe she will emerge from this war stronger and more resolute as the Jewish homeland. The way Israelis help one another and continue to show strength through adversity is truly extraordinary.

3. What has made the most impact on you during this time?

During Shabbat, a few of us walked to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. The memorial was powerful: photos of the hostages lined every surface, a Shabbat table stood with empty yellow chairs, a large screen displayed the number of days and hours since the hostages were taken, and a baby grand piano honored Alon Ohel, a gifted musician still held in Gaza. One of the most chilling moments was walking through a small replica of a Hamas tunnel, complete with sounds of gunfire and explosions. In just 15 seconds, the simulated experience offered a haunting glimpse of the unbearable conditions our hostages endure. On our way back to the hostel, we passed through a nearby park. Families played in the stream, friends picnicked, and dogs lounged in the sun. The air was filled with laughter and life, without a phone in sight. Even as hearts break for the hostages and those lost on October 7th, it is this spirit, the Jewish people’s love for life, that will carry us forward. We choose joy, we choose community, and we choose resilience.

5. Would you return to Israel?

In a heartbeat. I would gladly volunteer again, whether through Birthright or another organization. Leaving Israel was incredibly difficult, even though it was the right decision given the escalation with Iran. Since returning home, I’ve felt a strong pull to go back, to be with our people, to support displaced families, and to help businesses affected by the recent missile strikes. A piece of my heart is in Israel, and I look forward to the day I can return. •

Dancing in the Shelter

Continued from page 3

Because in Israel, when the sirens sound, the response is not the silence of fear— it’s prayer, it’s song, it’s arms wrapping around one another with love and strength.

And when you truly experience Israel—not just visit but feel it— something in you changes forever. You connect—to the people, to the land, to something greater than yourself.

The journey home wasn’t easy. There were logistical challenges, long hours, shifting plans. And yet, within 48 hours of arriving back—we were already gathered again. Twelve of us from the Nashville community came together in a living room—sharing Israeli food, laughing at the memories, processing the intensity of it all. And most of all— using the community as a source of strength. •

Registration is open at the Chabad Hebrew School

The Bertram and Beatrice King Chabad

Hebrew School (CHS) has opened registration for the coming school year. Directed by Mrs. Esther Tiechtel, CHS has earned a 27-year reputation of being an innovative program in which students excel in their Hebrew reading, Jewish knowledge, and pride for their heritage.

Located at the Genesis Campus for Jewish Life, CHS meets weekly, and caters to students ages 5 through 13. The new academic year will begin in August of 2025, with a special program introducing this year’s theme, “Living Jewishly as a Community of One.”

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

CHS prides itself on developing a community among its students, staff and parents. The Hebrew School’s most important message is embedded in the culture and relationships it fosters, taking the time to build a community that attends to the needs of individual chil-

dren, embracing them in an environment where their classmates become their good friends. The school is connected to congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, sharing a feeling of warmth and hospitality, establishing values and morals that are at the core of our Jewish heritage.

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

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

For more information and to request registration forms, contact Chabad at 615-646-5750, or email rabbi@ chabadnashville.com •

www.jewishobservernashville.org

Lifecycles

Obituaries

Scott Cooper

Condolences to the family of Scott Cooper who died on May 28. He is survived by his wife, Csilla Kristof; his parents, Alan and Regina Cooper; son, Sam Cooper and his extended family.

Judith Joan Kamins

Condolences to the family of Judith Joan Kamins, who died on May 21. She is survived by her husband, John Kamins; children, Robert (Yasmin) and Heather (Patrick); granddaughters, Dahlia, Leena and Isla; and many dear friends.

Jeff Margolis

Condolences to the family of Jeff Margolis, who died on May 23. He is survived by his children, Adam, Erin and Samantha, and his grandsons, Max and Milo. Tributes may be made to Congregation Micah.

Eva Marx

Condolences to the family of Eva Marx, who died on June 15. She is survived by her husband, Dan; children, Elise, Michele, David and Ryan.

Richard (Rick) F. Potash

Condolences to the family of Richard (Rick) F. Potash, who died on June 7. He is survived by his wife, Jill Potash; his children, Elizabeth Potash and Daniel Potash; brother, Stephen Potash (Ellen); nephew, Jacob Potash (Gwen); niece, Rachel Potash; step-son, Michael Assad; and grandchildren, Shoshana, Thomas, Michael, and Guilana Potash.

Richard (Reuven ben Yaakov v’ Bryna) served in the United States Army, was certified as a Russian linguist by the Defense Language Institute, was certified by Columbia University to teach Holocaust studies, and taught AP English and Holocaust studies in Fairfax, Vermont. There will be a celebration of life on July 17 in Vermont. •

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

New CEO

Continued from page 1 legacy of involvement in Jewish life. “We say that Jewish communal service is the family business.” She credits her father with creating that legacy and inspiring her to also become involved in the family business. She says he started out in the JCC field where his career took him to the JCC in South Jersey where he became the executive, and eventually the Federation director. “Growing up, Jewish community was just what we did,” she says, “He would come home for dinner every night. He would take off his jacket, hang it in the closet, roll up his sleeves, he’d sit down at the table, and we’d have dinner together. Then he’d go fix his tie, put his jacket back on and off he’d go.”

Alperin says her mother also has been an involved member of the Jewish community, teaching Sunday school, singing in her congregation’s choir, and continuing to serve wherever and whenever is needed.

Add to all of that was a lifetime participating in summer camps. A self-professed overnight camp dropout, she says, “Day camp was a huge part of who I am.” She worked her way through pretty much all the camp jobs well into her college years. College took her to Rutgers University where she majored in political science fully intending to become a lawyer. But true to the Alperin family model, she changed course and went into the family business. “I think it was when my sister was studying recreation at Maryland and began working at a JCC. I became reinterested in it, and my first job was at the JCC in Marblehead, Massachusetts.” And, as they say, the rest is history.

After some time far from family, Alperin made the move closer to home in Allentown, a place she knew nothing about. “I never would have imagined it was as wonderful as it was there.” She raised her family there and at the same time had professional opportunities in the local Jewish community. It was there that she met Nashville native Mark Goldstein, z”l, former executive of the Allentown Federation, who quickly became a beloved friend and mentor.

She’d been an active volunteer at

the time, running her own made to order desserts business. “It’s a wonderful thing for me to have been on the other side of things.” It was around this time the women’s philanthropy director announced she was leaving and Alperin offered to lend a hand part time while Goldstein conducted a search. “I really believe to this day, he never interviewed a single person,” she says, “He waited for me to get hooked and then reeled me in.” She says she fell back in love with the work and never looked back. “Mark was the most incredible mentor, human. I miss him every single day. He taught me so much.”

Alperin says one of the things that impressed her most about Nashville was the collegial relationship of the local rabbis. “One of the coolest things about my day in Nashville was meeting the clergy and seeing the symbiosis between them, the kindness. It’s not always like that.”

She says her priority is to get to know the community and meet as many people as possible. “I am excited to hear from people first-hand. In order to be a part of the community, I really need to understand the community. I want to understand all that came before so I can help with where we’re going.” She also is looking forward to meet community leaders both within the Jewish community and the greater Nashville community.

In addition to her degree from Rutgers, Alperin is an Executive Leadership Fellow with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. She recently earned her certificate from the Interim Leadership Academy at Third Sector Company. She was selected for the first cohort of the Jewish Federation of North America’s Fundraising University (2012-2014). An accomplished baker and entrepreneur, she built and ran Sweetiepies, a made to order dessert business.

Alperin is the proud mother of two children. Her son, Rabbi Noah Diamondstein, is a pulpit rabbi in New Jersey. He and his wife Marnie met in their USY years and followed each other to college. They have two children, Dylan and Sydney. Her daughter, Molly Diamondstein is a corporate real estate attorney in Washington, DC.

To reach Judy Alperin, email her at judy@jewishnashville.org. •

Kvetch in the City

By CARRIE MILLS

Contrary to popular belief, there are many good things still happening in the world to applaud.

Give me a few minutes…I’m thinking.

Wait…let me go shut off the no good horrible day news coming from the tv and on my phone. And while I’m at it I think I’ll close my computer screen.

going to jump out the window,” in two seconds flat. I realized the other day that trying to get their attention requires way more creativity than screaming, “I’m having a nervous breakdown!” repeatedly which is what I found myself doing the other morning.

Yay! I thought of one good thing happening in the world. Fashion Camp! Yes. Fashion Camp. Every year a bunch of kids’ parents sign them up for a camp I created 13 years ago and have been teaching every summer since. A oneweek total immersion into the world of fashion and the art of design for kids. It is a camp I created based on my years studying fashion design and illustration and art history at Parsons School of Design and The New School along with my years of experience working in the fashion industry.

I teach 7 -12-year-olds all about the art of design which includes repurposing, creating a collection and inspirational mood boards, how to think outside the box, understanding the use of fabrics, and lessons in fashion illustration and fashion photography. All culminating in them modeling their own unique designs sewn by me and my assistants, in two runway shows after having a lesson from a world-famous model, these past two years being Emily Sandberg Gold, on how to walk the runway. It’s truly an awesome week.

However, there is one thing each year I somehow forget. That is the energy of the youngest group. The 7-year-olds and their inability to focus too long on the task at hand especially while surrounded by a room full of jewelry, rows of fabrics, and accessories at their fingertips.

As much as I love children, I am reminded why I never became a full-time grade school schoolteacher. The decibel of the room can go from zero to, “I’m

So, you can imagine my surprise in what followed when I spontaneously blurted out a sentence that even startled me. Once I realized shouting, “I’m having a nervous breakdown,” had zero affect and quite only exacerbated the situation since screaming on top of screaming only adds to screaming (somehow I’m having flashbacks to my mom yelling at us kids as I write this) I found myself calmly telling the 12 children who by now appeared to me as a room full of feral cats with no constraint, “I’m going to tell you all a Zen koan I want you to solve.” I’m not sure what it was about that sentence, however it seemed to stop everyone in their tracks, including myself, and got their attention long enough for them all to look up and start asking inquisitively what a Zen koan is. To which I replied. “It’s like a riddle. I’ll give you an example. First sit down at your seats.”

Amazingly they all ran to their seats excitedly while still yapping a mile a minute to hear this exotic riddle.

“What is the sound of one hand clapping? I asked.” First there was laughter, a few attempts at clapping with both hands, and a CIT slapping the head of the CIT next to her with one hand to which I responded, “It is not hitting someone in the head with one hand.”

I asked again. “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” And to my utter amazement, there was absolute silence, absolute stillness, you could hear a pin drop. Not a stirring or a sound for a good five seconds which felt like eternity after days of absolute crazy kid energy swirling around the room. It was like music to my ears. A breath of fresh air. A good night’s sleep. All in those five seconds. To which I then said to the class, “Ahhh, my favorite sound. Thank you.”

Then to add to the already unexpected moment, the kids all wanted to hear more Zen koans. Who knew? Fashion, kids, and Zen koans all work together to achieve desired results. And for the rest of the week, instead of screaming, “I’m having a nervous breakdown,” to no avail, all I had to ask was, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” to which they all replied in unison, “Silence.”

And it got me wondering, if that one simple Zen koan could instantly quell the out of control energy of a class of 7 – 9 year olds in one fell swoop, what would it be like if all over the world, with all its agitation, discourse, violence and wars, if everyone were to suddenly stop, all at the same time and mediate on that simple Zen koan wouldn’t that perhaps produce a wonderful result.

To which I’d say, hold the applause. For at least five seconds. •

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS

CATHY WERTHAN, CPA CBIZ 1221 Broadway, Suite 1925 Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 245-4070 • CBIZ.com

APPLIANCES

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

ATTORNEY

MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY

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

CARE GIVER

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

In-Home Care & Engagement | Respite

Dementia Day & Early-Stage Programs Independent & Assisted Living Memory Support | Caregiver Resources 615.434.2160 | services@abesgarden.org

Elite Caregiving Services

Compassionate Care In Your Home

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

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

DR. BRADLEY KROCK D.C.

Discover relief with Dr. Krock, DCExpert chiropractic care for pain, wellness, and injury recovery. Book your appointment today!   615-723-0201 www.krockchiropractic.com

DENTIST

STEVEN R. HECKLIN, DMD

DAVID M. SMILEY, DMD

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

INSURANCE

BILTMORE INSURANCE SERVICES

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

JAMES A. ROTHBERG

ADAM ROTHBERG

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

ROBINS INSURANCE

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

ZANDER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

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

M JAFFA HEALTH INSURANCE

Marsha Ross Jaffa, CIC, LUTCF 615-482-3860 Medicare, Health, Dental, and Life

OPTOMETRIST

DR. MICHELE SONSINO

Optique Franklin 436 Main Street, Franklin 615-591-4191

DR. JAMES W. KIRKCONNELL Bellevue Eyecare Center 7640 Hwy 70 S, Ste 102 Nashville 615-662-7588 www.bec2

ORTHODONTISTS

Specialists in Orthodontics

Dr. Jonathan Gluck DDS, MSD

Dr. Joel Gluck DDS, MS 2002 Richard Jones Road A-200 615.269.5903 drgluck.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

GHERTNER & COMPANY

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

PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUNSELING

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

REAL ESTATE

FRANKLIN PARGH

615-351-7333

franklin.pargh@compass.com

LANA PARGH 615-504-2685 lana.pargh@compass.com www.pargh.com Instagram: @theparghteam

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

SPORTING GOODS

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

TRAVEL SERVICES

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

TREE SERVICES

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

Seniors and Post Hospital Care

July in The Gordon JCC Galleries: The Work of Arlene Wilson, Kamiko Sakai and Larry Frank

The Janet Levine March Gallery will feature Arlene Wilson’s exhibit, “Kimonos as Language.” Born in Brooklyn NY, Wilson grew up in the Washington DC area. She moved to Nashville twenty years ago from Providence, RI where she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Textiles. In Providence she founded AW Art to Wear, a fiber arts and textile studio. Her company, Alb & Altar, provided altar cloths, robes and bishop’s miters to the church community there.

Previously Wilson founded the internationally franchised Merry Go Round Stained Glass Company in conduction with Merry Go Round Restorations engaged in preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings in Fort Smith AR.

Japanese friends and travels have often influenced her work, inspiring a series of fine art kimonos to honor the Japanese culture and the 2011 Fukushima Tsunami. Speaking through cloth, Wilson has shown her work from Boston to Tokyo. This will be her first solo exhibit at the J Galleries.

The JLMG2 Gallery will feature the work of Kamiko Sakai, a painter and fine arts photographer known professionally as Kimiko. For her, the creation of art is a deeply spiritual process influenced by both the energy of people and her Japanese heritage.

Born in the noble and colorful city of Aizuwakamatsu (in Fukushima) in 1960, Kimiko grew up in a household of 12 children. The sole daughter of the family, she caught the creative bug early, often

drawing or making things out of disused cardboard boxes. As a young woman, she attended the prestigious Toyo University at Hakusan campus.

After graduating from NSCC, Kimiko’s talents were quickly recog-

nized. In 2000, her artwork was selected by Friskies Cat Food for their national photography contest. This image— which featured a cat sleeping by a window—was selected out of a pool of 20,000 submissions!

Shortly after winning the Friskies Cat Food contest, Kimiko caught the attention of The Arts Company gallery. This representation led to frequent art shows exhibiting her travel photography. In 2005, her work reached personnel from Travelers Rest Historic House and Museum. The museum later commissioned Kimiko for a Nashvillefocused art show exhibited at the Nashville Public Library.

In 2006, Kimiko branched out into oil painting. In 2009, she exhibited a new series of works at Tennessee’s Railroad Train Museum in Dickson County. Entitled “Bound for Harvest,” this series was a celebration of rural farm life. Depicting the homes, crops, and livestock of Dickson County farmers, this series told the stories of these historic farm families, showcasing how their hard work affected the community as a whole.

Kimiko cites several influences for her work. In addition to people and pets, she loves traveling, having visited Ecuador, the Galapagos, the Madagascar Islands, and Korea. She’s a big fan of architecture, as seen by her hand-tinted landscapes of iconic Nashville buildings like Pinnacle Financial, First Bank, and

the Omni Hotel. She’s also a big fan of music history, having completed several series of more traditional music portraiture featuring artists such as Johnny Cash and Minnie Pearl. Taking a commission, Kimiko returned to musician portraits in 2024 for a commemorative series on The Beatles, this time putting a poetic spin on each member.

Kimiko is currently represented by the Shimai Gallery of Contemporary Craft at The Loveless Cafe.

The Sig Held Gallery will continue to feature the art of Larry Frank. Frank has always thrived at the crossroads of creativity and chaos. Whether orchestrating vibrant live music experiences or crafting bold visual art in his studio, he is driven by a relentless desire to create something extraordinary. His paintings, like his approach to life, are dynamic, layered, and unapologetically original.

The Senior Lounge will continue to feature the work of Pamela Dove.

The House gallery will feature the Under One Roof collaborative exhibit.

The Exhibition Dates are July 1st -31st.

The Artist reception will be held on July 23rd from 6-8 pm and feature music by DJ Joseph Harris, pop up jewelry by Chandler Dezigns and Henna by Seemi.

The exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the GJCC at 615.354-1699, Curator Carrie Mills at carrie@nashvillejcc.org, or go to www.nashvillejcc.org. •

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Water at Nikko, by Arlene Wison

Dining Room, by Larry Frank

Woman and Cat, by Kimiko Sakai

Back to School

Nashville’s Jewish Day Schools

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

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

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

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

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

Inspired by Jewish values, the mission of Kehilla Upper School of Nashville’s inclusive community is to guide our students to become engaged learners and passionate leaders so that they may ultimately contribute to a purpose greater than themselves. Our goal is to shape graduates who not only possess knowledge but also embrace humility, openness, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world.

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

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

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

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

We are part of the JCC Association of North America’s Sheva Center, adopting its seven core elements in our program: Children as Constructivist Learners; Early Childhood Directors as Visionaries; Early Childhood Educators as Professionals; Families as Engaged Partners; Environments as Inspiration for Inquiry; Discover: CATCH as Sh’mirat HaGuf (taking care of our bodies); and Israel as a Source and Resource.

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

For more information, please contact ECLC Director Elizabeth-Lee Gertonson at elizabeth-lee@nashvillejcc.org or visit nashvillejcc.org/preschool

Camp Davis Clubhouse

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

Congregation Micah’s Religious School, JLAB

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

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

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

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

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

Our middle and high school youth groups extend Jewish life through travel to New York, Washington D.C., Montgomery, and Israel, as well as through local retreats,

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performances, and social action projects. Many teens serve as madrichim in our classrooms, and CHAI Society, our flagship high school program, empowers students to become confident leaders who enter the larger world doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God.

Are You Ready to Ease Out of Summer into Fall?

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

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

From Nashville to Franklin in Belle Meade and Brentwood, Jane R. Snyder has helped busy clients declutter, organize, or even empty drawers, closets, file cabinets, garages, and storage lockers. If you don’t know where to begin—or you are simply overwhelmed—she can create a plan to get your job done. Are you getting ready to downsize? Planning a milestone event? Need someone to troubleshoot a vendor issue

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or serve as your patient/healthcare advocate? If your children and grandkids live too far away to lend a hand, call Jane.

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

Beit Miriam

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

training to ensure that we meet students where they are.

Beit Miriam educates children from 3 years old through eleventh grade focusing on Jewish learning and living and, on fostering a sense of belonging.

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

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

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

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

Battle Ground Academy

For generations of families across Williamson County and beyond, Battle Ground Academy has been more than a school – it has been a launchpad. For 136 years, BGA has helped students grow into confident learners, thoughtful leaders, and people of purpose. Continued on page 29

BEIT MIRIAM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL @WEST END SYNAGOGUE REGISTRATION NO

3-YEAR OLDS THROUGH 11TH GRADE SCHOOL BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

MID WEEK HEBREW BEGINS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:

• WHERE HEBREW IS A LIVING LANGUAGE

• WHERE FAMILY TRADITIONS GRO W

• WHERE JEWISH VALUES THRIVE

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From the earliest years, students are known, supported and challenged. The Early Learning Center’s prekindergarten programs – Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and junior kindergarten – build a joyful foundation through hands-on discovery and purposeful play. As students transition into Lower and Middle School, they develop skills and confidence through creative exploration, leadership opportunities, and an environment that encourages curiosity.

In the Upper School, students engage in rigorous academics and pursue passions through signature concentrations in entrepreneurial leadership, STEM, global leadership, and fine arts. With real-world challenges, AP coursework, and the support of faculty who truly know them, students are prepared for what comes next. As a result, 95% of graduates earn admission to one of their top three college choices – evidence of their preparation and their potential.

The experience is rooted in character, scholarship, and excellence, but the outcome is different for every student. Because at BGA, learning is personal, growth is expected, and potential is unleashed every day.

Applications for Fall 2026 open in August. Families are encouraged to apply by BGA’s priority deadlines for first-round admission consideration. Learn more at battlegroundacademy.org/admissions.

Montgomery Bell Academy

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

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

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

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

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Montgomer y Bell Academy

– a school for boys in grades 7-12 –where students are taught the value of leadership and character; are equipped with the fundamental tools to succeed in the classroom and beyond; develop an appreciation for the e ort required to achieve excellence; and form friendships that last a lifetime.

e best way to know MBA is to experience it in person. For campus tours and admission information, please visit:

www .mont gomer ybell.edu

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Harpeth Hall

At Harpeth Hall, ambitions become achievements and girls become purposeful young women prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the world.

As an independent, college-preparatory school for students in 5th through 12th grades, every aspect of Harpeth Hall is designed deliberately with girls in mind. The student council president is a girl. The soccer captain is a girl. The robotics team members are all girls. At Harpeth Hall, we know how girls learn best and provide an environment where our students are embraced for who they are and encouraged in their intellectual curiosity.

In the classroom, our students discover by doing. From power tools to telescopes, Harpeth Hall teachers create hands-on experiences that elevate concepts beyond the textbook and make lessons memorable. Our students develop global perspectives as they think outside of familiar boundaries and engage in a vibrant academic environment that values diversity of thought and cultivates respect for others’ views. At Harpeth Hall, all girls are welcome and every girl thrives.

Beyond the classroom, our school encourages experiences that prepare girls to challenge themselves as individuals and as leaders. From athletics to dance, student government to STEM, musical productions to community service, Harpeth Hall students develop new interests and discover new talents as they imagine their brightest future.

For more than 155 years, Harpeth Hall has held true to the idea that girls deserve an excellent education full of possibilities and purpose. At Harpeth Hall, students learn to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably. For more information, please visit HarpethHall.org.

A Legendary Smile Starts Here

As a parent, you want the best for your child—including a confident, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. At Gluck Orthodontics, we understand that choosing the right orthodontist is a big decision. That’s why our mission is simple: to make the journey to a beautiful smile one your whole family will feel great about.

For over 40 years, our family-owned practice has proudly served the Nashville Jewish community, combining clinical excellence with warmth, personalized care, and Legendary Customer Service. Whether your child is ready for their first orthodontic check-up at age 7, or your teen is exploring braces or Invisalign, we guide families stepby-step with clarity and compassion—never pressure.

Led by Dr. Jonathan “Dr. Jono” Gluck and Dr. Joel Gluck, and backed by an experienced, kind-hearted team, we’re known for creating the most beautiful smiles in Nashville through a legendary patient experience. From flexible scheduling to our commitment to comfort and results, every detail is designed to give your child confidence and give you peace of mind.

Continued

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Back to school is the perfect time to get started—and we’re here to help make it easy. Ready to schedule your complimentary consultation? Visit drgluck.com or call us at (615) 269-5903. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Gluck Orthodontics family!

Right Fit College Consulting: Where Futures Take Shape

As the new school year begins, many families are already thinking ahead to one of the most important decisions in a student’s life—college. Right Fit College Consulting is here to guide students and parents through the complex and often overwhelming college admissions process. Based locally and founded on the belief that every student deserves a personalized path to success, Right Fit offers expert, one-on-one advising tailored to each student’s strengths, interests, and goals.

From building a balanced college list and crafting compelling essays to application strategy and managing deadlines, Right Fit provides comprehensive support every step of the way. Our approach emphasizes self-discovery, strategic planning, and reducing stress, helping students find not just any college, but the right college for them.

Whether you’re a freshman starting your college journey or a senior preparing to apply, Right Fit College Consulting brings clarity, structure, and encouragement to the process. Our goal is simple: to empower students to make confident decisions and find a college where they’ll thrive academically, socially, and personally.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit www.rightfitcollegeconsulting.com or email stephspeller.townsend@gmail.com. Let’s find the right fit—together.

Benefits Health and Beauty

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

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

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

Our consulting arborist, Cabot Cameron, identifies concerns, makes recommendations for pest and fertility issues, and offers preventative treatment programs for all types of tree disease and pests. We use “pollinator safe” pest control in order to maintain a healthier ecosystem. Similarly, we correct soil issues using regenerative composting

and natural bio-active fertilizers to reverse soil compaction, correct pH, and remedy fertility problems. We are concerned with the preservation of ash trees prevalent in our neighborhoods. The Emerald Ash Borer is devastating ash trees throughout Nashville, and we have been preserving these trees for our clients.

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

• Customized college list creation tailored to your interests, strengths, and goals

• Expert guidance on the Common Application, personal statements, and supplemental essays

• Strategic advice on extracurricular activities and resume-building

• Support for students at all stages: from high school planning to college transition

Stephanie Speller Townsend stephspeller.townsend@gmail.com

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