The Observer Vol. 87 No. 9 – September 2022

the

bserver

Jewish

www.jewishobservernashville.org

Vol. 86 No. 9 • September 2022

Shana Tova 5783

Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee Community Incident Report Audit September 2022 Introduction This report serves as the first-ever annual summary of incidents that have taken place in the Greater Nashville area with respect to antisemitism, broadly defined. The report will also chronicle other security-related activities taken by the community over this period as well as provide a national and state-wide context to these issues. The goal is this report is to not scare – but rather to clearly indicate what has taken place in this community and highlight the steps taken by communal organizations considering these incidents, as well as to provide a global understanding of these trends.

National Overview In the 2021 – 2022 period, there were 2,717 incidents of antisemitism reported to the ADL. This is an increase from 34% the previous year, which itself was a record, when 2,026 such incidents were reported. Of this total, 1,776 incidents were of a harassing nature, whereas 853 were categorized as vandalism and there were 88 reports of physical assault.

The overall themes identified with respect to this increase in incidents include a relationship to the war between

Israel and Hamas and extremist actions by known US-based groups.

In the May 2021 period, there was a decided increase in antisemitic activity and anti-Israel and anti-Zionist activity (as a sub-set), with common refrains such as ‘Israel has no right to exist’ and ‘From the River to the Sea’.

Further, with respect to extremist actions, known extremist groups or individuals inspired by extremist ideology were responsible for 484 incidents in 2021, up from 332 incidents in 2020.

This represents 18% of the total number of incidents in 2021. All the incidents emerged from adherents of right-wing or white supremacist ideologies. Of the 484 Continued on page 10

Jewish Federation Announces 2022 Homeland Security Grants

T

he Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee is happy to announce that several organizations within the Jewish community have received FY 2022 Department of Homeland Security non-profit security grants, with grants totaling $782,708. Organizations receiving these funds include Akiva School, Congregation Micah, Congregation Sherith Israel, Gordon Jewish Community Center, The Temple – Ohabai Shalom, West End Synagogue and Vanderbilt University Hillel. These funds will help cover necessary and important security needs throughout the community and will help make these facilities even more secure than they are at present. These awards are the result of a collaboration process between the Federations and its many partner organizations, for the benefit of the entire Jewish community of Nashville. • A Publication of the

5 Elul 5782 - 5 Tishrei 5783

Nashville Jewish Community Welcomes New Shaliach: Omer Shabat, page 2

HAS YOUR LATEST ENERGY BILL MADE IT HARD FOR YOU TO WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG MAKE ENDS MEET? Jewish Family Service can help.

New Year Greetings, page 25

Antisemitism Darkens the Doorsteps of Nashville Area Homes

By BARBARA DAB

E

arly last month West Nashville neighborhoods surrounding the Gordon Jewish Community Center, and in Richland/Cherokee Park behind West End Synagogue and Congregation Sherith Israel, were littered with packets of antisemitic flyers. This is latest example of rising antisemitism around the country.

The Antidefamation League’s most recent report shows more than a 30% increase nationally in antisemitic incidents. Local law enforcement, political and civic leaders were quick to denounce the littering of the flyers. A public statement made

by Mayor John Cooper, Vice Mayor Jim Shulman, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, Council Members Kathleen Murphy and Thom Druffel, The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and the Gordon Jewish Community Center, reads in part: “Hateful, divisive rhetoric and antisemitism have no place in Nashville, TN. “Antisemitic attacks are on the rise and continue to expand throughout the country. Painfully, Nashville is not immune. Nashville residents both Jewish and non-Jewish have been confronted by antisemitic messages not only on social media, but also at their homes and in their communities… “This disturbing antisemitic propaganda is similar in tone and style to that used for generations to target the Jewish people and paint them as the enemy. Once Jews are defined and identified as the Jewish Family Service Provides Financial Assistance in Uncertain Times, page 6

enemy, anything done against Jews can be justified. “As a community, we will not tolerate these actions.

We stand united in support of the Jewish community, and against the extremism and hatred of a small but dangerous faction of our city.”

The mostly non-Jewish neighbors, who found the flyers littering their lawns and driveways filed police reports and took to social media to express their outrage and support for the Jewish community. Vicki Dooley was one such neighbor. She says she was out for a bike ride and upon her return she spotted a group of neighbors clustered around talking.

“It was so disturbing; we couldn’t just throw those things in the trash. I said it should be reported immediately, so we called the JCC and then the police,” she says. She says the group was contacted by Adam Bronstone, Director of Planning and Israel Partnerships with The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, who responded quickly with information and support. “Adam explained the intense network of law enforcement that deals with this type of thing. He also educated us about antisemitism,” she says.

Dooley, who is a retired Metro Nashville Public Schools teacher, says while this latest incident seems small, things like this cannot be ignored. “None of us [who received the flyers] are Jewish, but we were disgusted, saddened, and upset.

It makes you think about antisemitism through the years.”

To date, no specific group has been identified as responsible for the flyers, but similar incidents were reported in other parts of the country, mainly in neighborhoods near synagogues, Jewish Community Centers, and other Jewish buildings. Rabbi Saul Strosberg of Congregation Sherith Israel says several of his congregants received the flyers, as well as non-Jewish neighbors. He says it was upsetting for everyone, but that it is important to be clear to address the act itself rather than the content of the flyers. “It shows where we are on the conContinued on page 11

Rosh Hashanah Greetings, page 25

Congregations High Holy Day Schedules page 30

Community Relations Committee

By DEBORAH OLESHANSKY

T

he recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, shifting access to reproductive health care to the control of state legislatures, has already caused fear, confusion, and heartache. JCRC has and will continue to provide educational programs to help us all understand and respond to the difficult situations that result from our state trigger law.

In beginning to prepare for the opening session, Abortion and Jewish Law, we reached out to all our local Jewish congregations and agencies. We were encouraged by the response. Every non-campus based Jewish group wanted to assist in sharing about the program.

This speaks to the devastating nature of

the impending trigger law and the impact it will have on us all.

The program on August 17 included six local Rabbis: Rabbi Joshua Kullock, Rabbi Shana Mackler, Rabbi Laurie Rice, Rabbi Jessica Shimberg, Rabbi Saul Strosberg and Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel.

Here are some of the comments we received from community members after the program: “The Jewish community should be rightfully proud of the wisdom and sensitivity grounded in Jewish tradition you displayed last night in your discussion of a critically sensitive and moral issue of our time. It is comforting to me to see you gathered

together to share your individual perspectives, all of which enrich our understanding.”

“We really appreciated tonight’s program. We are proud and grateful to have a community where rabbis from all our shuls can come together in a forum where they can remain true to their “denominations” yet respectfully and congenially express themselves. I can’t imagine a more sensitive topic so the inclusivity and respect is all the more magnified.”

As we learned during the session, Jewish law on the topic of abortion is

nuanced and open to some interpretation. Jewish law does not view abortion as murder, and neither does it support abortion on demand. It does provide guidance and wisdom to assist women, medical providers, and faith leaders in how to handle this personal and sensitive decision with dignity and respect, rather than shame and punishment.

We will continue to learn together at the next session, Abortion is Healthcare, on September 15. Panelists will include Dr. Nancy Lipsitz, Dr. Lisa Zuckerwise, and Dr. Frank Boehm.

The recording from the first session can be found on the JFEDofNashville You Tube channel.

Abortion & Jewish Law: Session I, 8/11/22 - YouTube •

Local College Student Spends Summer “Doing Good” in Poland

By BARBARA DAB

M

ost college students spend their summers working in entry level jobs or internships, hanging out at the beach or pool, or getting ahead by taking some classes. None of those things interested Eli Kirith. The rising sophomore at American University wanted to do something different, so he did the unexpected, he took his mom’s idea and ran with it.

“I wanted to feel useful and productive doing something good to help people,” he says. His mom, Leslie Kirby who is the President of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, recently returned from a Federation sponsored mission trip to Poland filled with stories about the refugees feeling war-torn Ukraine. Many of the refugees are Jewish, but most are not. When Eli heard her stories his first response was, “Can we go?” And so, they hatched a plan.

Eli and Leslie reached back out to volunteers on the ground in Warsaw and Krakow to offer their services and time and headed out. And for the better part of July, they lived and worked alongside volunteers from all over the world,

Eli Kirith, center, with his parents, Leslie Kirby and Craig Smith

as well as Ukrainian refuges themselves.

“There were some younger Ukrainians who were capable of volunteering,” says Eli, “They felt good to be helping their fellow Ukrainians.” In fact, Eli says one of the Ukrainians, a young man named Sasha, became a trusted friend and guide.

“Sasha is a great guy. I was glad to help him out, and I had to lean on him, and others, who could speak the language.” In addition to Sasha, Eli says he and his mom befriended a young German woman who was subsidized by the German government to volunteer. There was also a father and Continued on page 16

Nashville Jewish Community Welcomes New Shaliach: Omer Shabat

By BARBARA DAB

T

he Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is pleased to welcome Omer Shabat as the new Shaliach (emissary) from Israel. Omer is the latest participant in the program of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He arrived in mid-August and will spend the next two years serving as a connection from Israel to the local Jewish community. Omer is from the town of Ahuzat Barak, located in an Israeli valley, near the city of Afula. He recently completed his service in the IDF, Israeli Army, and after spending some time working with youth groups, decided it was time to try something new.

“I wanted to do something bigger and

have an adventure,” he says. In the Army he taught Hebrew language at all levels to soldiers from around the world. He was drawn to Nashville because of the variety of activities the city offers. He also is an accomplished musician and plays many instruments, including guitar, piano, ukulele, as well as singing. According to Deborah Oleshansky, Director of the JCRC for The Federation, Omer is the perfect fit, “Omer comes to us highly recommended. He has musical talent and experience working directly with high school aged students, both of which make him a great fit for Nashville.” In the coming months, be watching for Omer’s contributions to the Observer, and when you see him around town, be sure and say, “Hi!” •

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

2

September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Omer Shabat has arrived in Nashville

Commentary My incredible journey to Kazakhstan!

“Your Challenge May be your Purpose”

By RABBI YITZCHOK TIECHTEL

A

s the summer turn into fall, I decided to go on a spiritually invigorating trip to the most remote location I have ever visited. A journey of a lifetime, to reenergize my Soul before the High Holidays come upon us.

On a recent Monday night, I boarded a charter flight from Miami to Almaty, Kazakhstan, with two hundred Fellow Chabad rabbis. We flew over twenty-one hours each way in order to gather for two days of spiritual inspiration, at the site of the resting place of the Rebbe’s saintly father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.

Rabbi Yitchok Tiechtel joined with 200 Chabad Rabbis from around the world to honor the life of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson at his gravesite in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Nestled just three hours from the border of Western China and Afghanistan, Almaty is city of striking beauty as it lies at the foot of the Himalayan Mountain range that towers over it.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (born 1878) known to many as Reb Levik, was the charismatic, dynamic and influential spiritual leader of the large

industrial city of Yekatrinoslav (known as Dnieprepotrovsk today), Ukraine before he was arrested by the KGB, the Communist secret service, for his crimes in spreading Judaism. The Communists exiled him to the remote eastern Asian city of Almaty in order to render him unable to influence other Jews away from the socialist paradise that left no room for faith. Here he lived his final years in great suffering, poverty, and hunger until he calmly returned his soul to his maker this past Wednesday in 1944.

I was able to experience a sense of his isolation as we walked through a winding Continued on page 4

Shofar-People

By RABBI JOSHUA KULLOCK

I

n his book When all you ever wanted isn’t enough, Rabbi Harold Kushner shares that, years ago, he “was sitting on a beach one summer day, watching two children, a boy and a girl, playing in the sand. They were hard at work building an elaborate sand castle by the water’s edge, with gates and towers and moats and internal passages. Just when they had nearly finished their project, a big wave came along and knocked it down, reducing it to a heap of wet sand.” At that point, Kushner says that he, “expected the children to burst into tears, devastated by what had happened to all their hard work. But they surprised [him]. Instead, they ran up c

STAFF c

c

c

Publisher Eric Stillman Editor Barbara Dab Advertising Manager Carrie Mills Layout and Production Tim Gregory Editorial Board Frank Boehm (chair), Teena Cohen, Laura Thompson, Scott Rosenberg, Liz Feinberg Telephone 615/356-3242 Fax 615/352-0056 E-mail barbaradab@jewishnashville.org ‘The Jewish Observer’ (ISSN 23315334) is published monthly for $25 per year by the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205-4009.

Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE JEWISH OBSERVER, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205 This newspaper is made possible by funds raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.

The Jewish Observer is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

While The Jewish Observer makes every possibly effort to accept only reputable advertisers of the highest quality, we cannot guarantee the Kasruth of their products.

The Jewish Observer Founded in 1934 by J

A

C

Q

U

E

S

B

A

C

K

the shore away from the water, laughing and holding hands, and sat down to build another castle.” In that moment, Kushner realized that the two kids had taught him a wonderful lesson: “All the things in our lives, all the complicated structures we spend so much time and energy creating, are built on sand. Only our relationships to other people endure.

Sooner or later, the wave will come along and knock down what we have worked so hard to build up. When that happens, only the person who has somebody’s hand to hold will be able to laugh.”

This story strikes a chord because it pushes us to think about our priorities in life. These children understand something deeply valuable: We may not be able to stop the waves from hitting our castles, but we still have each other.

We may not be able to avoid some painful disappointments along the way, but together we can find the strength to get back on our feet once again. It is thanks to those who hold us tight when things are not going as we would like them to go that we can hope to endure in the midst of the storm.

I know that I’m not telling you anything that you don’t know already. And yet, what I would like to do here is to provide some food for thought and some interesting insights to strengthen those intuitions that you already have.

With the beginning of the Jewish

Isn’t It Time for A Single K-12 United Nashville Jewish Community School?

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. 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.

For advertising deadlines, contact Carrie Mills, advertising manager, at 615-354-1699, or by email at carrie@nashvillejcc.org.

month of Elul, Jews around the world add to our morning prayers the blowing of the Shofar. For me, it is always a moving time. Every time I blow the Shofar, I’m always afraid of getting a terrible sound out of it, and I usually have a brief moment of prayer asking G-d to be granted the chance to bring forward decent blasts. It was in one of those mornings, as I was about to blow the Shofar, that I was moved not only by its piercing sound, but also because I came to realize that the most important people around us function exactly like a Shofar.

Continued on page 4

By RABBI MARK SCHIFTAN, RABBI EMERITUS OF THE TEMPLE

S

tudy after study confirm the vital role that Jewish schools play in the continuity and survival of the Jewish people.

Here in Nashville, we have outstanding models of those educational institutions, all committed towards achieving that end.

While this may not be the optimal choice for every family (including my own), the Jewish community, as a whole, has a direct and critical role to play in designing the most efficient method of delivery of these educational opportunities to the members of our growing Jewish population.

We now have three separate academic centers — a lower school (Akiva), a middle school (JMS) and a new high school (Kehilla High School). And while the middle and high schools do share governance and have recently been re-branded into the Jewish Upper School of Nashville, there are still three layers of administration, three campuses, and three development and recruitment teams.

The question, therefore, is one of the efficiency of scale: Are we doing all we can to improve, enhance and

Correction

In the August issue of The Observer, the JCRC column titled Am I Still a Citizen? was mistakenly labeled as an Opinion. In fact, the column written by Deborah Oleshansky,

upgrade the level of quality of all three institutions combined, or are we continuing to bifurcate our efforts, with duplicate efforts at organization, management, hiring and fundraising?

Perhaps it is time to envision a different model for the future: A single, unified, stellar academic institution, with a single, centralized campus, with each division more integrated and synchronized with the other. A single admissions and recruitment office; a single, unified fundraising office; a single, coordinated staff educational administrative professionals.

Imagine driving up to the JCC Campus, with a centerpiece focused on the Jewish community’s concrete expression of its commitment to Jewish continuity, a center for instructing and inspiring the next generation.

Imagine the impact our local Federation dollars could have in achieving this goal.

Imagine an entire Jewish community inspired and united by this pursuit.

Do we have the vision and the courage and the leadership in place to accomplish this task?

What better legacy can we hope to build, than one dedicated to the future? •

JCRC Director of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, represents the majority view of JCRC and leadership. •

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

3

Kazakhstan Continued from page 3 path to his resting place through Christian burial plots, life-size rock statues and communist symbols engraved on many graves.

It broke my heart to think that this giant of a man, the father of the most influential rabbi in modern history, was relegated to such unbearable circumstances.

Reb Levik’s spiritual greatness lives on today as countless stories of miraculous salvation unfold for many who make the trek to visit his tomb with heartfelt prayers for his Divine intercession. For the duration of our thirty-six-hour visit, I was deeply disturbed as to why would G-d have sent such a saintly soul to suffer in such dire conditions?

As I sat writing this article on the long plane ride home, I was enlightened with the answer in the weekly Torah portion. The Torah is our gift from G-d and the weekly portion is our compass.

Our sages tell us that we can always find the answers we seek in the Torah portion of the week.

The Torah tells of the lowest moment our People have ever fallen. Having just received the Ten Commandments on two Divinely-produced Tablets on Mount Sinai, the Jews chose to turn their backs on G-d with a shocking betrayal—they created a calf of gold and bowed down to

it! As a result, Moses smashes the Two Tablets. When eventually G-d forgives their indiscretion, he instructs Moses to make the new tablets “for himself.”

The Talmud in the Tractate of Nedarim, reveals to us that the seemingly superfluous word “for himself” was an instruction to Moses to carve the Second Tablets out of sapphire and to keep the leftover shards for himself. Indeed, these precious shards made Moses a very wealthy man.

It seems inappropriate on all levels: why would G-d throw an instruction for Moses to casually “keep the change” into a serious story of Divine reconciliation?

And how is it even ethical for Moses to profit from what is clearly public property? Besides, who cares about Moses’ personal financial statement during this time when the future of the Jewish nation lay in the balance?

In a moving sermon in 1908, Reb Levik’s Rebbe, the Fifth Chabad Rebbe known as Rashab explains the significance of this wondrous windfall: These sapphire shards were the product of man’s epic fail at Sinai. Having just recently caused the destruction of the First Tablets, G-d’s gift to mankind, the Jewish Nation was crushed.

They felt hopeless and irredeemable. They had gone too far.

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at www.jewishnashville.org

from

5015 Harding Pike

(615) 352-7620

The holidays are around the corner!

One-Stop Shopping ...

Mezuzahs, Candles, Tallites, Tzedakah Boxes, giftware & more Items from Gary Rosenthal, Sandi Katz, Rite Lite, David Gerstein, Quest, Emanuel

New items are arriving daily for the High Holidays and Chanukah We have 2022 Mah Jongg cards, sets, and accessories

Children’s books, games, and stickers

Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM @ Friday: 7:00 - 8:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 am - noon or by appointment We gift wrap.

4

September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Moses’ wealth being the product of broken, shameful pieces, inspires us to the positive and purposeful elements behind our failures. Instead of seeing them as useless black holes, we can view them as opportunists for growth and even greatness.

Our problems are our purpose. Our mistakes don’t happen to us; they’re sent to us from Above. Though we cannot always appreciate why, we are fortified with the faith that our dysfunction is our destiny, and our failures pave the way to our fortunes.

If G-d wanted you to be perfect, He’d have made you so. He wants us to climb out of our sinkholes as we overcome our challenges with character and courage. Indeed, our purpose lies in the potholes. That’s where the gold lies.

Moses’ wealth deriving from the bro-

ken shards of the Second Tablets proves that our prosperity is reached through making the best of our pitfalls. What you have is what G-d needs from you now.

Instead of resenting your lot, celebrate it, embrace it and launch from it. Even in our perceived mistakes, we have purpose.

In fact, your perceived detour might be precisely the exit you were supposed to take to reach your specific destination.

As I clearly saw in Almaty this week, despite the communists’ sincerest intent to isolate Reb Levik in Kazakhstan, he continues to inspire and uplift countless thousands of passionate disciples that continue to travel across the world to visit him, a full eighty years after his passing. In a mysterious way, his faraway exile ultimately led to his far greater influence.

May we all begin to appreciate the value in the broken parts of our lives, and see the purpose in the challenges of life. •

Shofar-People

truly lucky, we get to share a significant part of our time here on Earth with them.

As we are preparing ourselves to welcome a new year, I would like to invite you to think about the “Shofarpeople” in your life. And, since the Shofar has three different basic sounds, let me close this text by sharing with you three final blessings as well: May you always be blessed with the opportunity of surrounding yourself with wonderful Shofar-people. May you find the right words and the right ways to let those Shofar-people know how important they are in your life. And may you be blessed with the ability to become a Shofarperson yourself, inspiring those around you to become the better version of themselves.

L’Shanah Tova! •

Continued from page 3 We all have “Shofar-people” in our lives. They are those who are capable of waking us up. They are the friends, teachers, mentors or family members who inspire us with their words, with their values and with their deeds. And they inspire us because of their passion and their vision.

These people are our “Shofar-people” because they can shake our world with their presences, because they can see us for who we are, and because they are the only ones capable of tearing down the walls that many times, we put between ourselves and the rest of the world whenever we feel that we need a break. They allow us to feel less lonely and, when we are

The Pargh Team

T H E PA RGH T E A M W I SH E S YOU A H A P PY, H E A LT H Y, A N D SW E E T N E W Y E A R Featured on the 2021 REAL Trends “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” list as seen in The Wall Street Journal and ranked #2 Small Team in all of Tennessee.

/d_M Wb

$110M 9VOsVOo |dt BoO _dd^WbU sd Jt| do pO__ |dto VdaOÛ 2VO +BoUV 2OBa Wp oOBM| sd zdo^ Tdo |dt BbM UWyO |dt BbdsVOo oOBpdb sd KO_OJoBsOà

Franklin Pargh M: 615.351.7333 franklin.pargh@compass.com

Lana Pargh M: 615.504.2685 lana.pargh@compass.com

pargh.com @theparghteam @parghteam

2VO +BoUV 2OBa Wp B sOBa dT oOB_ OpsBsO _WKObpOOp BT _WBsOM zWsV dalBpp . Û B _WKObpOM oOB_ OpsBsO Jod^Oo BbM BJWMOp J| OntB_ VdtpWbU dlldostbWs| _Bzpà 2d oOBKV sVO dalBpp . dT KOÛ KB__ à à à

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

5

Jewish Family Service Provides Financial Assistance in Uncertain Times

By BARBARA DAB

T

he Covid19 pandemic is still not in the rear-view mirror. And the financial fallout continues to unfold for many Americans. According to the Center for Budget Policy, relief measures at the beginning of the crisis helped reduce very high levels of hardship. But as recently as early this year, three million fewer people are employed than before the pandemic. Rising food and utility costs, gas prices, and rent mean an already tight budget is becoming even tighter. And while there are many relief programs available, folks in the middle often do not seek out assistance. Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Nashville, says, “We are starting to see a slight increase in requests for help, but we know there are more people out there who just don’t think they qualify.”

In fact, it is the people in the middle who often fall through the cracks simply because they are not accustomed to seeking assistance. But sometimes life throws a major curve ball. For Miriam Leibowitz the curve came in the form of an unexpected change in her job status which meant a major salary cut, and as time wore on, she fell further and further behind in paying her bills. As a former staffer at The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, she knew just where to turn. “My income was suddenly cut in half. It was very scary. I went to JFS for help, and they provided

me with everything I needed to get by during a very stressful time.”

Through the years, Lebowitz says JFS has been there to assist with everything from financial planning and budgeting to helping direct her to other resources in the community. Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director for JFS, says Miriam is an example of the types of services the agency provides for those in the middle. “We have no income guidelines or requirements,” she says, “All someone has to do is complete an online application, and we meet with the applicant to assess each individual on their particular situation.”

Jacobsen says many people are afraid to apply for assistance because they don’t know how it will feel. “Most people come in fearful and anxious, but after we meet, they say it was much more enjoyable than they thought,” she says.

JFS financial services run the gamut from emergency assistance, to Kosher food boxes, Hanukah gifts, and school supplies. Jacobsen says she is always gratified when she sees the relief in her client’s faces. “We are here to help everyone, and to be a friendly face. We like to think of ourselves as an extension of their own family,” she says. And Miriam Leibowitz agrees that JFS helps make one of life’s most difficult situations much easier. “Asking for help is hard. But JFS allows you to have your dignity during a time when you don’t have a lot and it doesn’t feel very dignified,” she says, “They have such kindness and generosity of spirit. I encourage anyone going

JEWISH STUDIES LECTURE SERIES PRESENTS

HAS YOUR LATEST ENERGY BILL MADE IT HARD FOR YOU TO MAKE ENDS MEET? Jewish Family Service can help.

KOSHER FOOD BOX PROGRAM Confidential Supplemental food for qualified recipients OU kosher food items Monthly distribution FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Confidential, discreet assistance Basic needs including housing and utilities Alleviates a temporary financial crisis

If you are interested in receiving a food box or need financial assistance, contact Toni Jacobsen or Ashley Franklin at 615-356-4234.

Navigating Life's Transitions. Together. jfsnashville.org | (615) 356-4234 Jewish Family Service will be placing informative postcards in are synagogues. Look for them this High Holiday season.

through a challenging time who needs help meeting their needs to reach out.”

She says JFS helped her get to the point where she is thriving once again.

To help spread the word about JFS’ programs, the agency is placing infor-

mative postcards in local synagogues and other locations. During the High Holidays congregants will be able to see these new cards and learn more about JFS. And for more information, visit www.jfsnashville.org •

Driver Needed

POLITICAL PATHOLOGY, PALESTINE, AND POSTDIASPORIST RECKONING IN THE POLISH JEWISH 1930S

Kenneth B. Moss, Harriet and Ulrich E. Meyer Professor of Jewish History, University of Chicago September 12, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Alumni Hall 202 Memorial Hall Lunch Provided

6

Co-sponsored by the History Department and the Max Kade Center for European and German Studies

September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

The Gordon JCC is seeking a driver for Shalom Taxi, our transportation program for our Seniors.

Part-time flexible position.

Must be able to drive a 15-passenger van.

Contact: Carrie at carrie@nashvillejcc.org or 615-354-1699

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at www.jewishnashville.org

Is it Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah or…: Congregation Micah Introduces Use of Gender Inclusive Pronouns

By RABBI LAURIE RICE

I

f you visit Congregation Micah on Shabbat morning, you may experience a rather new ritual, except it’s not new at all. It just has a new name. It’s called the brit mitzvah. “You mean bar mitzvah? Or bat mitzvah?” No. We don’t. We mean brit mitzvah. It’s the same ritual that celebrates the coming of age of a Jewish teen into a young Jewish adult who accepts upon themselves the responsibilities and commandments of the Jewish tradition.

The name no longer connotes gender specificity. This is why: Our daughter came home from school last year and announced that her friend, “Sarah,” was now a “they.” Feeling hip and with the times, I knew exactly what she meant. What she meant was that Sarah no longer identified herself as a singular female, but rather as non-binary, non-gender conforming, as everything and all things, as male and female and everything in between as well as nothing in between, as all gender and no gender.

If you don’t know what gender-neutral pronouns are, or if you don’t know anyone who goes by such pronouns, you are not alone. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, only 22% of U.S. adults have heard a lot about the use of gender-neutral pronouns, while 38% have heard a little, and 39% have heard nothing at all. Only one-in-five Americans say they personally know someone who goes by a pronoun other than “he” or “she.” Unsurprisingly, younger adults are more likely to know someone who goes by a pronoun such as “they” instead of “he” or “she.”

In 2017, Time did a cover story titled “Beyond He or She: How a new generation is redefining the meaning of gender.” In a summary of the story, Time writer Katy Steinmetz says that a growing number of millennials don’t see gender as either this or that, and instead see gender identity as a spectrum. “This variety of identities is something that people are seeing reflected in the culture at large. With its 1 billion users, Facebook has about 60 options for users’ gender,” writes Steinmetz.

Confused? That is understandable.

However, learning a few terms will help you navigate this discussion. First, gender identity is different than sexual orientation. According to the Human Rights Campaign, gender identity is “the innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither.” Sexual orientation is to whom you are romantically

attracted and can’t be predicted by gender identity. Some common terms you might hear or read to describe people who don’t identify with being put in traditional male or female categories are gender neutral, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, agender and gender fluid. Transgender refers to someone whose identity does not correspond to their assigned sex at birth and cisgender refers to someone who does identify with their birth sex.

Consider this fact about the English language. First person pronouns (I/me for singular or we/us for plural) and second person pronouns (you for both singular and plural) are already gender neutral.

It’s only the third person pronoun, in the singular use, that is gender-specific (she/ her or he/him), as third person plural pronouns are also neutral (they/them). If you want to be respectful toward someone who does not identify with traditional gender categories, you can either ask them how they want to be referred to (a third person reference), or instead just use their name without pronouns. As mentioned previously, there are numerous options for gender terms, but the most common are he/him, she/her, and they/them (used as singular pronouns).

Hebrew is not as malleable. Consider our Torah which includes phrases such as, “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem…you (masculine plural) stand here today, all of you (again, masculine plural)...lifnei Adonai Eloheichem… before Adonai your (masculine plural again) God (Deut. 29:9).” Our Torah is replete with gender pronouns as a way to summon and identify who, exactly, constitutes the community. Often, the community is male. Sometimes it’s male with females also included, but even then, because of how the Hebrew language functions, the plural pronouns are always masculine. And God, as we well know, in our Torah and our traditional prayers, is almost exclusively referred to in the masculine. Judaism, like the other western monotheistic faith traditions of Christianity and Islam, is patriarchal in its theology and in its language.

But there are organizations and modern scholars at work in the field today who are providing us with new insights (and some, not so new) into the Hebrew language and revealing previously unknown nuances with regard to gender. Take an obvious or wellknown text as that from Genesis 5:12: “When God created the adam, God made him in the likeness of God; male and female [God] created them.” Susan

Disability and Inclusion Highlights Sherith Israel Sherith Israel welcomes all people and strives to instill a sense of belonging. In order to focus our efforts on those with disabilities and special needs, we have created an Inclusion Committee. The purpose of the committee is to brainstorm ways that a community can become more inclusive of people with disabilities and special needs, but it will also help set the agenda for ways that Sherith Israel can accommodate those needs and leave everyone feeling honored and supported.

West End Synagogue As part of the recent sanctuary/social hall remodel, West End Synagogue installed a Williams Assisted Listening System.

This state-of-the-art system allows those with hearing challenges to connect directly into our sound system via Bluetooth technology.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Lori Ann Fishel Special Needs Fund in the Jewish Foundation, we will be able to continue to work on achieving our goal of 100% inclusion. •

Weidman Schneider, Editor-in-Chief of Lilith Magazine, interprets this verse as a merism, like “thick and think” or “young and old.” As such, “male and female [God] created them” can be read as “God created male and female and every combination in between.” The Talmud backs Schneider’s interpretation when Rabbi Jeremiah ben Elear writes, “When the Holy One, blessed be the One, created the first adam, [God] created him [as] “androgynous.” As there it is written: ‘When God created the adam, He made him in the likeness of God, male and female [God] created them.’

Avram and Sarah, our first Jews in the Torah, are described by our sages as tumtumim, one of the categories in the Talmud for those of indistinguishable gender or genetalia; Sarah is also described in the Talmud as an aylonit, or one who appears as a woman but cannot give birth. Our fore-father, Jacob is described as a mild man of the camp, displaying an alternate masculinity to Esau’s hairiness, smell and hunting. And Joseph, a central figure in the transition of the Jewish people from Canaan to Exodus, is an ancestor whose clothing is remarked upon repeatedly, whose appearance is described using adjectives for a princess, and who must come out to a family that does not recognize them.

Rebecca is referred to multiple times as na’ar, meaning “young man” instead of na’arah, young woman. And Rabbi Yochanan of the Talmud has a beauty that is described at length.

Back to the subject of brit mitzvah.

Those who educate others on gender identity issues remind us that one’s gender is very important to a person’s self-esteem and affects how one operates in society. When our faith and our Jewish story is important to us, being able to see ourselves in those who came before us and connected to the Jewish chain of tradition matters. And because you cannot always visually tell if someone is cisgender, transgender or non-binary, advocates insist that asking for a person’s pronouns is respectful and helps alleviate stress for that person in social situations.

Moreover, Joy Ladin, Gottesman Professor of English at Yeshiva University writes, “When we insist that God is male, we define women as a lesser form of humanity, in which the image of God is blurrier, less perfectly realized, than it is in men. When we recognize that God, who existed before humanity was a glimmer in God’s eye, who will still be there

after the universe itself has vanished, cannot possibly be just male or female, we recognize that everyone created in God’s image is also vaster, more complicated and more mysterious than any gender can encompass. And when we realize that neither God nor humanity fits within the terms of gender, we recognize that being male or female is not essential to being human, an insight that helps us see that transgender people too are created in the image of God.” For those of us who write and edit, the thought of using they to refer to just one person makes our red pencils twitch a bit. We’ve been trained that they is a plural pronoun. For example, the sentence “Ask each student what they want for lunch” is grammatically incorrect, and instead should read, “Ask each student what he or she wants for lunch.”

However, the Merriam-Webster dictionary now includes the following as one definition of they: “used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary.” An article on the Merriam-Webster website explains that the use of they as singular dates back to the 1300s. The article states, “People have used singular ‘they’ to describe someone whose gender is unknown for a long time, but the non-binary use of ‘they’ is relatively new.”

Merriam-Webster reminds readers that you has been used as a singular pronoun for years, although it was originally a plural pronoun. I was in high school before I knew that you could be plural.

That’s why we often say “we welcome y’all” instead “we welcome you” because to our ears it sounds strange to use “you” to refer to more than one person!

Language changes as culture changes and the more we hear or read a different use of a word, the easier it is to adapt to the change.

When the Torah reads, “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem…You all stand here today [at Sinai to receive the gift of Torah],” we are reminded to reflect on the ways in which we have not fully opened our tent or our hearts to those around us, to those we love, to those who need us to see them as fully human and whole.

When we honor the ritual of brit mitzvah on Shabbat morning, we celebrate that Torah belongs to all of us. “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem…you, male and female and everyone in between, stand here today, all of you, the full spectrum of humanity...lifnei Adonai Eloheichem… before Adonai your collective God, the reflective image of each one of you together.” •

Wishing for peace and understanding in the community and the world LORNA M. GRAFF

Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI Lifetime Member, Gold Award of Excellence

Office: Cell: E-mail: Web:

615.794.0833 615.351.5343 lorna.graff@zeitlin.com Lornagraff.com

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

7

Newcomer’s Column

By EITAN SNYDER, NEWCOMER ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

W

elcome to the Observer’s monthly Newcomer Column! Every month, we will be featuring one of our Nashville Jewish Newcomers so you can get to know them and their dynamic, engaging stories. One of my favorite parts of my job as the Federation’s Newcomer Engagement Associate is connecting with the newcomers and bringing them into Nashville’s Jewish community through our Newcomer Shabbat dinners, Newcomer Welcome Receptions, and connecting them with community members and organizations who can help them feel like they belong here. We hope you enjoy reading these and give every newcomer you meet a smile and a warm

Meet newcomer, Jordan another L.A. transplant!

Schindler,

Nashville welcome!

If you would like to be part of the Federation’s work welcoming new Jewish Nashvillians to our community or have an idea of something else we could be doing, please let me know at eitan@jewishnashville.org or 615-354-1664.

Introducing: Jordan Schindler • Tell us your story. Where are you from? How did you end up in Nashville?

Moving to Nashville was never part of my grand plan. I was born-and-raised in the Philly suburbs, attended Temple University, then post-graduation, headed west to pursue TV writing. Long story short, it didn’t happen overnight.

Actually, it didn’t even happen in the first five years. Doors would open occasionally, but just a crack. Like enough for a pinky toe, not an entire foot. Finally, I managed to kick one down in 2015 when I co-created Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, a stage adaptation of the iconic 1999 film, which paved the way for opportunities 15-year-old me could’ve only dreamed of. But after a decade under the influence of LA and a pandemic,

2022–23 HOLOCAUST LECTURE SERIES

Like a Reed

Cultural Genocide, Resistance and Resilience

Tuesday, Sept. 20 | 7 p.m.

David Fishman The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto: A Story of Resistance to Cultural Genocide Student Life Center, Ballroom B In Vilna, the city Jews called “The Jerusalem of Lithuania,” a group of ghetto inmates risked their lives to rescue thousands of rare books, documents and works of art from the Nazis. In an operation that lasted 18 months, they smuggled the materials past guards and buried them in bunkers. Those members of the group who survived the war returned after Vilna’s liberation and dug up the materials. They eventually smuggled the books across Europe until they reached the United States and Israel.

What did they rescue, and why did they do it? vanderbilt.edu/holocaust

I found myself desperately needing a change of scenery. I was writing remotely on a Netflix series and I knew people here — so I packed up my things and set off on a new adventure. I haven’t regretted it for a second.

• What has your Jewish story been like up to this point? How did you get involved with Nashville’s Jewish community?

Well, I grew up in a conservative Jewish household. I’m the only one out of three kids to attend Hebrew school through confirmation. My parents would joke that they thought I might become a rabbi, but admittedly, I did lose touch with my faith upon moving to LA. I wasn’t as active in the Jewish community as I wanted to be, probably because I was hyper-focused on my career. When I decided to move to Nashville, I made a promise to myself that I’d change that. In a hilarious turn of events, I met a man named Richard Schindler (no relation, but I do have an Uncle Richie of my own) while buying a new car.

Richard put me in touch with the Jewish Federation and here we are.

• How has your experience been in Nashville so far? Any notable memories or experiences?

I love Nashville. The food, the people, the music… I’m very fortunate as some of my best friends made the move from LA before I did, meaning I didn’t have to start over from scratch. I really have the best of both worlds here and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. It already feels like home.

• What do you love about being Jewish?

I love being Jewish because it makes me feel like I’m a part of something greater — and that strong connection has helped me stay grounded through life’s many challenges. For 10+ years, I lived 3,000-ish miles away from my family, so keeping our Jewish traditions alive also kept me connected to them as well.

• What do you love about being Jewish in Nashville?

September marks my one-year anniversary of moving to Nashville, and while I haven’t been here long enough to have fully immersed myself in the Jewish community, I’m eager to get back to being an active part of one, like I was growing up.

I have to shout out to Eitan Snyder and the other wonderful folks at the Jewish Federation for welcoming me with open arms.

• What does the next year look like for you? Is there anything that you are still looking to do or experience in Nashville?

I’m really looking forward to contributing to Nashville’s small-but-growing theatre community in some way. I love producing live entertainment and hope to collaborate with venues across town to bring more musicals to Music City. Aside from that, you can find me exploring TN with my 3-year-old goldendoodle Coach, eating all the BBQ, and waiting for My Life with the Walter Boys, which I wrote on, to hit Netflix sometime next year. •

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

8

September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Safe Investments in this Crazy Market

By MIKE LEVINE, PRINCIPAL OF THE LEVINE GROUP, LLC

W

hat a terrible first half of the year in the stock market. The S&P 500 closed out the first six months of the year down nearly 21%—the steepest first-half loss seen in more than 50 years. Some of the contributing factors include skyrocketing inflation, supply chain issues, the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates and the Ukraine war. While many investors are wondering what to do, the old adage remains, “buy low, sell high,” this is an opportunity to be buying!

Meanwhile, the supposedly stable fixed income portion of one’s portfolio didn’t fare much better. The bond index (Barclay’s Agg) saw its worst start to a year in history, falling 11% through June.

Add in the negative cash returns (interest on your cash minus inflation) and you have the Triple Bear effect! Down stock market, down bond market and negative cash returns.

One strategy many use without even knowing it is called dollar cost averaging.

Anyone who defers part of their paycheck in their company’s retirement plan is buying on a consistent basis, thus when the market goes down, you’re buying more shares. And when the market goes back up, you actually own more shares and come out ahead.

The absolute worst thing you can do right now is to sell. Some strategies to consider why the market is down include: 1) Tax loss harvesting – Sell some stocks or mutual funds that are down, capture those losses to offset any capital gains.

2) *Rebalance your portfolio – sell some of the funds that are “up” and buy those that are “down”.

3) Invest some cash you have sitting on the sideline, and most importantly, 4) Stay invested!

A bull market is around the corner, we just don’t know when. The average bull market lasts five times longer than the average bear market and it’s important to stay invested to catch the rebound.

History repeats itself and history teaches

us that the market has always gone up in the long run.

The graph below shows over the past 70 years what percentage of the time stocks have had positive returns. You will see that over any 20 year time period, stocks have been positive 100% of the time.

While a sharp recession could certainly bring new lows… already lower stock prices and solid earnings have brought equity valuations below their 25-year average and as of this writing the market has started its rebound!

Warren Buffett once said that it is wise for investors to be “fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Right now most people are fearful… * Rebalancing assets can have tax consequences. If you sell assets in a taxable account you may have to pay tax on any gain resulting from the sale. Please consult your tax advisor. •

L’Shanah Tovah!

A time for reflection, renewal and hope.

Wishing you a sweet and happy new year.

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

F RO M O UR FAM ILY TO YO URS ...

KARO L FARAG AL L I

LORNA GRAFF

TO N Y JACKSON

615.289.3359

615.351.5343

901.550.1347

karolfaragalli @gmail.com

lorna.graff @zeitlin.com

tony.jackson @zeitlin.com

H EN RY JOHS

JAY L O WE N THA L

NAN SPELLER

615.743.5049

615.300.3617

615.973.1117

henry.johs @zeitlin.com

jay.lowenthal @zeitlin.com

nanspeller2014 @gmail.com

J EN N IE ZAG N O EV

JACKSON Z E I TL I N

R E BE K A H Z E I TL I N

615.838.2048

615.479.6461

Relocation Referral Manager

jennie.zagnoev @zeitlin.com

jackson @zeitlin.com

rebekah.zeitlin @zeitlin.com

L EA D ERS H I P TEA M

J ESSI CA AV ERB U CH , CEO 615.294.9880 jessica@zeitlin.com

SAM AV ER B U CH , CO O SHELTER LENDING SERVICES MUSIC CITY TITLE & ESCROW 615.294.9887 | sam@zeitlin.com

Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways! Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

6WD\LQJ WKH &RXUVH

SH I R LEY Z EI TLI N FO U ND ER/ CH AI R MAN 615.383.0183 | shirley@zeitlin.com

N AS HV I L L E 615.383.0183

F R AN K L I N 615.794.0833

zeitlin.com

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

9

Incident Report Continued from page 1 incidents attributed to hate groups or extremists, 422 took the form of antisemitic fliers, banners, stickers, or written messages. This is a 52% increase from 277 in 2020. The top distributors of antisemitic propaganda in 2021 were the Folkish Resistance Movement (formerly known as Folksfront) (179), Goyim Defense League (77), New Jersey European Heritage Association (50), and White Lives Matter (27). The remaining 62 incidents of extremist activity included acts of antisemitic vandalism, bomb threats to Jewish institutions, Zoombombings, and several small protests outside Jewish and pro-Israel institutions.

In 2021, ADL documented 27 antisemitic extremist gatherings, parades, picketing events or meetings. This is a 35% increase from 20 such incidents in 2020.

Tennessee Across the state in the 2021 – 2022 period, there were 111 reported incidents. These included: Incident

Number of incidents White Supremacist propaganda 79 White Supremacist Harassment 12 Terrorist attack/plot 1 Extremist Murder 1 White Supremacist event 11 Antisemitic vandalism 7 Of these incidents that were outside of Greater Nashville, examples of each included: • An unknown perpetrator started a fire that destroyed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, in an arson attack that was likely motivated by anti-abortion extremism.

• In February 2021, John Michael Poss was indicted for the shooting death of Austin Shane Paul Lewis on September 4, 2020. According to Poss’s sister, Poss was a member of

the violent white supremacist prison gang Aryan Circle, which originated in Texas but now can be found in several states. The victim, Lewis, was allegedly also a member. The motive of the killing is not clear.

• A Jewish studies professor received conspiratorial antisemitic emails from an unknown sender.

• A student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville discovered the message “Jewz suck” written on the back windshield of their car.

• Approximately 10 individuals associated with the American Christian Dixie Knights, a small Tennessee-based Klan group, held a private cross burning.

Greater Nashville Since the shooting of the Chabad Center in Poway (CA), the community has come together in a pro-active manner with respect to security. The following actions have been taken: The Jewish Federation formed a community-wide security committee with representation from every organization in the community and representation from all levels of law enforcement (local, state, and federal).

The committee meets on a regular basis and is briefed on timely issues with respect to security from communal organizations and law enforcement partners.

The committee is associated with Secure Community Network, the security arm of Jewish Federations of North America (The local Federation is a member of JFNA). A regional representation of SCN is a member of the committee and SCN staff have briefed the committee on a range of issues including election security as well as situational and behavioral awareness training. Members of the committee also receive the daily email brief from SCN which highlights issues on a global scale.

In 2020, the Federation committed $200,000 to the purchasing of security-related hardware for every facility-based Jewish organization. Security enhancements included the purchasing of cameras, window hardening materials, bollards,

Best wishes for the New Year.

Greg Zagnoev

HOME•AUTO•BUSINESS 615.746.RISK (7475) gregz@wtm-insurance.com www.wtm-insurance.com

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at www.jewishnashville.org

10 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

locking mechanisms, gates and fencing.

Federation funds were also granted to purchase hardware (in facility beacons) from Alertus. The Alertus system is designed to connect all the organizations through these beacons and the mobile application that allows community leaders to send information about a suspicious person, for example, or an incident that is worse, to other communal leaders so that the latter can take the appropriate action within their own facilities and organizations (organizations that do not have facilities are also involved in the mobile application).

The community has also engaged with law enforcement with respect to active shooter training as well as presentations by the Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), State of Tennessee Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) professionals in areas such as cybersecurity.

2021-2022 The Nashville Jewish community is not immune to antisemitism incidents.

Over the course of the 2020-2021 period, every Jewish communal institution was subject to emails, social media posts and visitors deemed suspicious – suspicious enough to respond in a security-first manner. Often, many of these visitors are not antisemitic in nature but present mental health challenges to the congregation that they are engaging.

Incidents of note throughout the community during this time period included: • Two pro-Palestinian rallies where the chant ‘From the River to the Sea’ was heard.

• A Patriot Front rally in Nashville with, roughly, 25 men marching • The annual white supremacist rally, which was (and continues to be held) at Montgomery Bell State Park • An upside-down swastika that was engraved on a protective wall of a building side in the Hillsboro area • Several incidents took place within school settings, the most prevalent of them were children, in different settings, giving the ‘heil Hitler’ salutes or portraying Hitler in a menacing manner. A common theme in these moments was the lack of a reaction by educators to the situation.

With respect to communal responses to the incidents that have taken place in the community, all of them were officially reported to Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and/or Belle Meade Police, with subsequent reporting to FBI, TBI and State of Tennessee DHS officials.

Other activities In 2021-2022 most communal organizations with a facility applied for federal Department of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant (NSGP) funding (funding that will be available for a 36-month period into the 2022-2023 calendar year). These requests were for security items of a hardening nature. As a part of this process, every organization that applied was required to complete an online security assessment. The committee will be using these surveys to understand the short and long-term priority security needs of every facility.

During this period, the Federation, through the faith-based initiative of MNPD, presented to 60 leaders of MNPD with respect to Jewish life in Nashville and the state of antisemitism. The presentation took place at the Gordon Jewish Community Center and included a visit to the community Holocaust memorial.

Further, The Federation begun to

take part as a full member in the FBI Community Engagement committee – a quarterly meeting of FBI staff and community leaders.

The Federation, in partnership with the Federations in Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, lobbied for and received agreement from the State of Tennessee that the state would allocate $500,000 towards human security. Every facility in the community that was able to apply for these funds applied.

Finally, in partnership with MNPD SWAT, all facilities in the communities were visited by members of SWAT. As a follow-up, the floor plans of all organizations were shared with SWAT and the same will be done with TBI. 2022-2023 Activities (to date) During FY 2022-2023, the Federation’s security committee is scheduled to engage in several new activities: • Organization-based ‘cop stops’ where monthly an organization will host an early morning breakfast stop for local police.

• A community-wide celebration of law enforcement at a Jewish community Faith & Blue breakfast event.

• The completion of a security report card for every Jewish organization • Presentation by Michael Masters, CEO, Secure Community Network • Presentation on State of Tennessee gun laws • Two members of the committee will participate in the TBI Citizen’s Academy • A ‘Jewish Life 101’ presentation, including information about the current state of antisemitism, will be delivered to TBI staff In 2022 (at the time of the writing of this report), there have been several incidents throughout the community.

These incidents include: • The reporting of a pro-White banner that was hung on the Korean War Veterans bridging during rush hour on a weekday.

• The finding of a Nazi logo on a cement pillar on the Greenway (in the West End area) • Several suspicious people driving past and around Congregation Sherith Israel during Saturday morning services • Several suspicious people who engaged with synagogue staff at multiple synagogues. Often a person would engage multiple organizations on the same day, often because of the proximity of the facilities.

• In August 2022, two areas of the community were targeted with antisemitic leaflets. The leaflets, blaming Jews for such things as the pandemic, were thrown from cars and landed near the homes of residents near the Gordon JCC and Sherith Israel and West End Synagogue. It is believed that at least 100 of these leaflets, reprinted from the Goyim Defense League website, were dropped across the community, over a week-long period. The Federation worked closely with MNPD and other state law enforcement agencies with respect to the reporting of these incidents.

Further, the Mayor’s Office organized a jointly created statement in support of the Jewish community and against hate incidents such as these.

MNPD patrols were increased in all areas where Jewish facilities are located within Greater Nashville, and Vanderbilt University police and Belle Meade police did the same with facilities located in their respective jurisdictions. •

Antisemitism Continued from page 1 tinuum of hatred going on right now, and we have to take it very seriously,” he says, “Jew hatred can be explicit as well as implicit.” Eric Mendelsohn lives in the area and on his daily walk, he spotted the flyers on neighborhood properties. “I saw the bags and when I picked one up, I was pretty shocked to see the antisemitic language and emblems. I walked around and picked up as many as I could.

I probably got about 20,” he says, “I was amazed something like this would turn up in this day and age.” Rabbi Joshua Kullock of West End Synagogue says he also heard from congregants who were very upset. But he stresses it is important to remember that despite the rise in antisemitism, the Jewish community has many allies and friends. In a recent editorial in The Tennessean, he wrote, “It was heartwarming to see the swift response made by our local political leaders and to read emails and letters sent by different religious and communal leaders across the spectrum. And yet, today we are experiencing not only a spike in antisemitic events all around us but also the normalization of some of that gruesome rhetoric that creates the conditions for antisemitism to thrive.”

Members of other religious groups also expressed outrage over the incident.

Sabina Mohyuddin, Executive Director of the American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC), says this type of act brings the presence of local hate groups into focus.

“We know it’s out there even though Nashville is a great place to live. These elements lurk everywhere,” she says. She is grateful for the partnerships between faith groups in the city, and says the hard work is paying off. “We have made clear groups like this are a very small minority and there is no place for them here.”

She says in her faith community there are also fears about hate crimes. “We always must be in crisis response mode, particularly in our places of worship.

We also must rethink how to warn our community without frightening anyone.”

Mohyuddin also says she believes people are becoming bolder in what they’re willing to do to express their hatred, citing the prevalence of guns as a contributing factor, as well.

The recent incident has not been

attributed to any specific group, but law enforcement is ready with action plans to support the Jewish community. Bronstone says thanks to long term positive relationships, both with law enforcement and the local community, it is possible to deal with any real threats and situations effectively. “We have built very strong, overlapping relationships with local, state, and federal authorities who are constantly there for us,” he says.

David Corman, Commander of the West Precinct of the Metro Nashville Police Department, says an investigation into this incident is ongoing, and extra patrols have been assigned to the neighborhoods to ensure residents feel safe. He says it is all part of their overall strategic plan.

“We need the partnership and assistance of the community in our effort to maximize our coverage and effectiveness.” He encourages people to report suspicious behavior or incidents.

This latest antisemitic incident coincides with Governor Lee’s recent budget amendment that includes additional funding for security in houses of worship.

(See accompanying Antisemitism Audit) The funding allows synagogues and other Jewish buildings to add designated security personnel. The Federation’s Bronstone says he is pleased with the show of support at the state level and is working to advise and assist the congregations and agencies to make best use of the funds.

“This could not have come at a better time,” he says, “The Jewish Federation is always ready to support and help the community with whatever it needs.” And as AMAC’s Mohyuddin points out, it really does require a collective approach to keep everyone safe and secure. “Hate crimes happen, but we are working together to create an inclusive society and those extremists are not welcome.”

To report suspicious activity, MNPD’s Commander Corman says for emergencies call 911, for non-emergencies call 615-862-8600, to make a report by email: westinvestigations@nashville. gov. And to learn more about how The Jewish Federation coordinates security in the community, contact Adam Bronstone at adam@jewishnashville.org Antisemitism resource: https://www. jewishnashville.org/antisemitism Antisemitism incident reporting form: https://form.jotform. com/211203475860046 •

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy, and Peaceful Rosh Hashanah With the New Year, comes wishes for happiness, health and peace.

As a real estate professional in Nashville, I know how important safety is, as it’s at the forefront of my business with all my clients.

I provide service, expertise and attention that reflects the quality of the property you’re buying or selling, with results, safety and a lot of fun. L’Shana Tova!

• Nashville Native with 20+ years of experience • # 1 In Brand Name Awareness • Global Reach in over 100 countries and territories, with 7,300+ Offices Worldwide • Distinctive Marketing with a Luxury Division • Lipman Elevate: a new concierge service where we’ll front the cost of your pre-sale home improvements with no interest or hidden fees – you repay the money spent at the time of closing.

Jackie Roth Karr, Realtor c: 615.330.9779 | o: 615.463.3333 JackieKarr@gmail.com www.JackieKarr.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

2002 Richard Jones Road, Suite C-104 •Nashville, TN 37215

Michael and Cindee Gold and the staff of Gold Skin Care Wish our community a very Happy Healthy New Year!

Happy New Year F R O M A L L O F U S AT

S T E V E K R AV I T Z P H YS I C A L T H E R A PY

W W W. S T E V E K R AV I T Z . C O M GREEN HILLS

615-840-3281

& $ & " " & ! + & " " " 2000 RICHARD JONES ROAD SUITE 220 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37215

gold@goldskincare.com • www.goldskincare.com

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

11

Federation Staff Helps Educate Metro’s High School Teachers

By BARBARA DAB

T

he new school year is now well underway, and as part of the annual preparation, Metro Nashville Public Schools reached out to the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee to provide education and resources to the district’s high school teachers. Deborah Oleshansky, Federation Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee, and Adam Bronstone, Federation Director of Planning and Israel Partnerships, provid-

Deborah Oleshansky, Director of the JCRC at the Jewish Federation, and Kyle Alexander, M.Ed., NBCT District Lead Coach for Social Studies Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, during the annual in-service training for MNPS high school social studies teachers.

l'Shanah Tovah 5783

West End Synagogue High Holidays Schedule 2022 WE WILL BE STREAMING SERVICES AGAIN THIS YEAR

Saturday 9/17 @ 7:35 pm: Maariv and Havdalah followed by dessert Reception and a screening of “Upheaval”, The Incredible Life Story of Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Selichot Services will begin immediately following the screening at 9:30 pm.

Sunday 9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:00-7:00 pm: Rabbi’s sermon will be at approximately 6:30 pm.

Monday 9/26: First Day Rosh Hashanah Services are from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 11:00 am.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.

See below for children’s services schedule.

Monday 9/26: Rosh Hashanah Afternoon: Blessing of the babies born in 5782 (from last rosh hashanah to now) at 4:00 pm followed by our Tashlich service to symbolically cast away our sins. tashlich will be held by the bridge at Carden & Roland Avenue.

Join us for the three-block walk from the Synagogue at 4:45 pm. There is limited parking on carden. if you must drive, park on Roland Avenue. Mincha services will be held back at the Synagogue around 6:00 pm.

Tuesday 9/27: Second Day Rosh Hashanah 9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 10:30.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.See below for children’s services schedule.

Friday 9/30: Shabbat Shuvah, The Shabbat of Repentance: Please join us for kabbalat shabbat and maariv services from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Saturday 10/1: Shabbat Shuvah, The Shabbat of Repentance: please join us for shabbat morning services from 9:30-11:30 am. followed by a kiddush lunch.

Sunday 10/2 @ 10:00 am: Personal Yizkor Ceremonies at the West End Synagogue Cemetery. call for directions.

Tuesday 10/4, 5:45 pm: Please join us for Mincha services followed by Kol Nidre and the blessing of this year’s b’nai mitzvah students. Rabbi’s sermon will be around 7:30 pm.

Services will be held In-person and will also be live streamed.

Wednesday 10/5, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm: Yom Kippur morning services with the recitation of Yizkor (after 11:00 a.m.). Rabbi’s sermon will be given at approximately 11:00. Services will be held In-person and will also be live streamed.

Wednesday 10/5: Join us for Mincha and Neila for Yom Kippur beginning at 5:00 pm and the Blowing of Shofar, followed

by Ma’ariv and Havdalah at 7:03 pm. Services will be held Inperson and will also be live streamed.

For information on streaming our services, please contact the WES Office at office@westendsyn.org.

MAHZORIM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS TO BORROW WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND SERVICES IN-PERSON

SUGGESTED DONATION OF $18.00.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S IN-PERSON ONLY SERVICES **BABYSITTING AVAILABLE WITH RSVP**

Monday 9/26: First Day of Rosh Hashanah: Start the year with Tashlich!

Families with young children services (6 months -first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am-12:00 noon.

Join us for our congregational tashlich ceremony.

We will Meet at the Synagogue @ 4:45pm.

Tuesday 9/27: Second day Rosh Hashanah: Blow your own Shofar for the New Year!

Families with young children services (6 months-first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am-12:00 noon.

West End Synagogue 3810 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37205

Wednesday, 10/5 YOM KIPPUR Morning Services: Blow your own Shofar for the New Year!

Families with young children services (6 months -first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 10:30am-11:30.

Locations for children’s services to be announced. **there is a charge for babysitting.

Please email office@westendsyn.org to RSVP and for further information

(615) 269-4592 @WestEndSyn

12 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

/WestEndSyn

Office@WestEndSyn.org www.WestEndSyn.org

ed a hands-on, experiential program to help Metro teachers learn about how the local Jewish community is impacted by antisemitism. “It was the first time anyone from the Jewish community presented to the teachers in person,” says Oleshansky, “They were very interested and engaged.”

The program, directed at social studies teachers, provided insights into modern day antisemitism and the connection to antisemitism throughout generations.

According to Kyle Alexander, District Lead Coach for Social Studies for MNPS, the presentation provided valuable insights and created important connections between the teachers and the Jewish community. “In a state like Tennessee where people have specific ideas about what should and should not be taught, it is important to have organizations like The Federation come in and put a face on the types of things reported in the news.”

Using antisemitic images and phrases, the teachers were asked to create a timeline of its development. According to Oleshansky, that was no small task.

“They all found it to be a hard exercise,” she says, “But we deliberately wanted it to be a bit tough so they could be thoughtful and focused.” She says the participants were surprised and saddened to learn that antisemitism and antisemitic themes remain the same today as they did one or two centuries ago.

Following the formal presentation, Oleshansky and Bronstone manned a table and provided samples of apples and honey, and copies of Art Spiegelman’s book, Maus. They also had the opportunity to speak with teachers about the local Jewish community. “There were a number of Jewish teachers we met who did not know we had such an active, engaged community,” says Oleshansky. There were several teachers who are new to Nashville, and they were referred to the Federation’s newcomers and young adult programming staff. And, according to Alexander, the program also helped rebuild some relationships. “The district had partnerships in the past with organizations like the Tennessee Holocaust Commission and the Federation, but those had fallen off. This really helped us reconnect.” Oleshansky says there will be another in-service presentation in October highlighting the Butterfly Project being created at the Tennessee Holocaust Memorial. •

Cantor Duvid Erblich will lead High Holiday Services at Chabad

Happy Rosh Hashanah from

Since 1958, we’ve been passionate providers of comprehensive social services. We are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages, including:

C

ongregation Beit Tefilah is honored and pleased to welcome Cantor Duvid Erblich to lead the High Holiday services during the upcoming High Holiday season of 5783.

Musical talent is inherent in this renowned Erblich family of Cantors, from which Cantor Dovid Erblich descends.

He was born in the United Kingdom to the world-famous Cantor Moshe Leib Erblich. As a child at the age of 4, he participated in his father’s recordings with solos and duets.

From a young age his father used to put him to bed with tunes of famous cantorial music, and wake him up to the tunes of beautiful cantorial melodies.

The famous “Ana Avda” that is sung all over the world during the High Holidays was composed by his late Father, Cantor Moshe Leib Erblich.

Cantor Duvid Erblich, has performed at numerous concerts around the world, and was the official cantor for twenty years at The Taylor Synagogue in Cleveland Ohio, and at the Jewish Community Center Synagogue in Dubai United Arab Emirates, Cantor Erblich is happy to be coming to Nashville to lead the services at Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad. One of the unique additions to the service by Cantor Erblich is to blend Chasidic melodies and various famous Jews tunes into the liturgy of the High Holiday services.

Adoption Services Chaver Mentor Program Counseling and Psychotherapy Older Adult Services Care Management Family Life Education Information & Referral Support Groups Helping Hands Volunteer Program Kosher Food Boxes Emergency Financial Assistance Hanukkah Gift Program School Supplies Program Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing!

Musical Helping Hands & OMA

Cantor Duvid Erblich to lead High Holiday Services at Chabad of Nashville

Also, during the services, stories and insights into the prayer will be shared by Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel.

All are invited to participate in the High Holiday services at Beit Tefilah, and one does not have to pay to pray.

There is no membership or tickets required and services are held in Hebrew and English in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A special children’s service is held on each morning of the High Holidays. For a complete listing of the High Holiday services at Beit Tefilah, go to chabadnashville.com •

615.356.4234

jfsnashville.org Navigating Life’s Transitions.

Together.

We’re saving you a seat . . .

at The Temple

High Holy Day Service Schedule Sunday, September 25, 2022

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

7:30 PM ........... Erev Rosh Hashanah Service

7:30 PM ........... Kol Nidre Service

Monday, September 26, 2022

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

8:30 AM .......... Family Service 8:30 AM .......... Tot Rosh Hashanah Service 10:15 AM ......... Morning Service 10:15 AM .......... Youth Program (K-6th grade) 12:30 PM.......... Rosh Hashanah Reception 12:45 PM ......... Tashlich at the Creek 4:00 PM ........... Rosh Hashanah Family Experience at the Creek

8:30 AM ........... Family Service 8:30 AM .......... Tot Yom Kippur Service 10:15 AM ......... Morning Service 10:15 AM .......... Youth Program (K - 6th grade) 12:45 PM.......... Congregants’ Hour 2:00 PM ........... Afternoon Service 3:15 PM ............ Yom Kippur Afternoon Experience 4:30 PM ........... Yizkor & Concluding Service

For additional High Holy Day information or to join The Temple services online please visit thetemplehub.org Questions? Contact Erin - erin@templenashville.org or (615)352-7620

T

T

5015 HARDING PIKE ~ HE EMPLE ~ (615)352-7620 a congregation of the heart, a community of the spirit The Jewish Observer • September 2022

13

Local Teens Share Reflections from Partnership2Gether Trip to Israel

By BARBARA DAB

A

s previously reported, three Nashville area Jewish teens participated in The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Southeastern Consortium Hadera-Eiron Partnership2Gether trip to Israel. This was the first time the annual trip included teens from Nashville who spent a memorable two weeks touring and learning with their counterparts in Israel. Our local participants were: Noah Spigel, Benjamin Yazdian, and Jonah Hirt. Each one was asked to answer questions about their experiences, and to share their reflections. Below are their answers in their own words: Benny Yazdian, age 18, and a student at University School of Nashville.

He attended religious school at Beit Miriam at West End Synagogue, and camp at 6 Points: Was this your first trip to Israel? If so, what were your overall impressions.

If not, what made this trip different from previous visits?

This was not my first trip to Israel.

Something that made this trip different than my previous visit was that I was with a group of teenagers compared to going with my family. This trip was also different because we looked at more religious attributes of Israel compared to my previous trip.

What were some of your most memorable moments and/or experiences during the trip?

A memorable moment that I experienced during the trip was the hike to Masada, along with going to the Dead Sea.

Three local teens spent an amazing summer in Israel. Pictured l. to r. Noah Spigel, Benny Yazdian, Jonah Hirt

What are some key takeaways, or lessons learned from this trip?

Some key takeaways that I learned from this trip was an appreciation for Israel and its history.

Jonah Hirt, age 18, a student at the University School of Nashville. Jonah attends The Temple.

Was this your first trip to Israel? If so, what were your overall impressions.

If not, what made this trip different from previous visits?

Yes, this was my first trip to Israel.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience a lot.

It was amazing being in a place where the culture is so accepting of being Jewish.

What were some of your most memorable moments and/or experiences during the trip?

One of the most memorable moments from the trip was being in the Bedouin tents where we got to experience a new culture. I also really enjoyed going to a waterfall near Haifa, where we got to go under it and get drenched. Not only were lots of the other things we experienced when sightseeing, but most of the memorable things came from when the American and Israeli teens did simple things like just spending time on the bus. Despite our different backgrounds, it was so special to come together and learn about our similarities.

What are some key takeaways, or lessons learned from this trip?

One key takeaway I learned from the trip was that people are more similar than different, despite growing up in very different positions. Another lesson I learned was to not to go into the Dead Sea with a cut!

Anything else you’d like to share in the way of reflections, thoughts, or feelings about your experiences?

I just want to say thank you to everyone involved in setting up the trip, because it is an experience that I will never forget.

Noah Spigel, age 17 years old, attends the University School of Nashville. Noah and his family attend the Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom.

Was this your first trip to Israel? If so, what were your overall impressions. If not, what made this trip different from previous visits?

This was my first time going to Israel. I enjoyed experiencing the country as a whole and getting to know a lot about it.

What were some of your most memorable moments and/or experiences during the trip?

My most memorable experiences from the trip were getting to stay with Israeli families as well as staying in the Bedouin tents/hiking Masada/going to the dead sea.

What are some key takeaways, or lessons learned from this trip?

Some of my key takeaways from the trip are that Israel is a great country and I want to go back there in the future. I learned that if I were to go back to Israel, I’d go with my family or a different group that allowed me to experience Israel as everyday teens there would. I would want to do the activities that people my age do that live there with more free time rather than doing a ton of tour guide trips and things like that.

Anything else you’d like to share in the way of reflections, thoughts, or feelings about your experiences?

I enjoyed the free time in the communities/cities and I wish I had more of that. •

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

14 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Camp Davis Summer 2022 was our Best Summer Yet!

By RACHEL CLARK, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, GORDON JCC

W

hile the fun and ruach of Camp Davis Summer 2022 is over, there is much to celebrate as we head into the Fall. The new Camp Davis Leadership -- Camp Director Andrew Fishman and Assistant Director Max O’Dell -- took camp in a new and exciting direction, much to the delight of the campers and their families.

While the traditional camp activities at Camp Davis did not change this summer - Art, Sports, Music, Israeli Culture, Performing Arts, and Nature - the specialists leading them brought a wealth of knowledge paired with an incredible spirit. One of the standout specialists was Noa, who came all the way from Neharia, Israel to teach Israeli Culture to campers.

Noa educated campers about the Israeli military, the Western Wall, classic Israeli recipes, and much more. She also stayed with some incredible host families who all begged her to stay with them longer!

Aside from these core activities, campers in Traditional Camp also participated in swimming at the JCC pool, climbing at the Adventure Park, Gaga ball (a camp classic), archery, water games, friendship bracelet making, and so much more.

Specialty Camps at Camp Davis also felt more special than ever before.

Following the model of the beloved Project Runway Fashion Camp, spearheaded by the Gordon JCC’s own Carrie

Mills, most of the other specialty camps were run by professionals in the community of various crafts. For example, Maddy Turner, a local science teacher, oversaw all six weeks of the STEM track and mastered the delicate balance of fun and learning in Space Camp, two weeks of Cooking Camp, and many others. Because of these specialty leaders, Camp Davis’ specialty offerings were extremely popular this summer and they plan to offer even more unique options next summer.

One of the major successes of the summer was a revamped staffing structure, designed to improve communication with camp families. Camp Davis also welcomed back Abby “AP” Pierron as the Inclusion Director this summer, and her presence and overall efforts made a tremendous impact on the well-being and success of all campers. Camp Davis has always been a welcoming community where campers can feel comfortable and safe being themselves, and our Inclusion program, whose start was supported by the Lori Ann Fishel Special Needs Fund housed at the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, continues to play an important role on our campers’ successes.

Shabbat this year was extremely fun and reflective, led by Song Leader Tyler Spuzzillo, who attended the virtual Song Leader Boot Camp this winter - an incredible immersive Jewish leadership opportunity. With a balance of games, classic songs, and opportunities for self

and group reflection, campers enjoyed themselves, while growing within their Jewish world each week at Camp Davis.

Led by Max’s spirited energy and Andrew’s thoughtful dedication, the ruach around the JCC this summer was palpable, of course because of the smiling

and excited campers, but due in large part as well to the amazing Camp Davis staff!

Andrew and Max have already begun planning for next summer and cannot wait to implement feedback from the community into creating an even more successful Summer 2023! •

Happy Rosh Hashanah

GREEN HILLS

The Finest in Cigars, Pipes, Tobaccos, Humidors & Cigar Accessories

.0-;: -69 ;/6:, >0;/

Sophisticated tastes Happy Rosh Hashanah

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at www.jewishnashville.org

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

15

Nashville’s Jewish Community Bids Farewell to Noam Harari

T

he community joined together with the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee to bid farewell to the community shlicah, Noam Harari. Noam spent the past three years in Nashville, as part of a program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, providing an important connection to Israel during an unprecedented time. There were hugs, laughter, and a few tears, at the send-off. •

Doing Good Continued from page 2

Nashville Holocaust Memorial Needs 4-6 Volunteer Docents

• Will lead tours for the public at the Memorial site on the grounds of the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Bellevue • Time commitment is flexible • Only requirement is an interest in sharing the stories and lessons of the Holocaust, to a wide variety of audiences • Training will occur primarily in October

If interested, email either Felicia Anchor fanchor@aol.com or Marsha Raimi raimim1101@gmail.com

16 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

son duo from Korea, a Japanese student who was studying in Poland, and a group of Americans from Texas who were there on a Christian mission trip.

The days were spent visiting significant Jewish and other historic sites, and volunteering at the Szafa Dobra Mall in the Krakow Plaza. The shopping center has been turned into a relief center providing refugees with food, clothes, diapers, medical supplies, and other basic needs.

People can visit the center once a week to stock up on necessities. “The actual work was gut wrenching,” says Eli. He was responsible for monitoring the door to the food bank to help maintain order. “We were only allowed to let in five people at a time. Sometimes mothers would ask if they could skip the line, and I had to tell them no. There were other mothers with children also waiting. It was hard.” Some days Eli was tasked with reorganizing items for distribution. He says some items were very popular and required packages to be split up. “Things like salt and sugar disappeared so quickly, so we had to divide up the packages. It was a sad thing. Diapers were another in-demand item, and one day it was maxi-pads for the mothers.”

Currently, Eli says there is no shortage of volunteers, which is encouraging.

But supplies are running low, as well as storage space. There is not enough money being donated right now so while the cost of living is relatively low, necessities are becoming scarce. The Polish government is working to help Ukrainians, but that takes some time, so the cycle continues. For now.

Although the invasion of Ukraine is its seventh month, there continue to be people flowing through the border with Poland. “There are probably about 100 families a day still coming to Poland, but it’s calmer than it was when my mom was there in May,” says Eli. He says Ukraine continues to keep men under the age of 60 in the country to help with the war, something that makes it hard on the women and children who make it to Poland. “They have the opportunity to be relocated to other places in Europe, and the Jews can make Aliyah to Israel, but since their men are still in Ukraine, they don’t want to leave.” Housing is still being provided to the refugees in abandoned apartment complexes.

Among the historic sites Eli visited was Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. He and his dad toured together. “It was great and terrible at the same time,” says Eli, “It was a very well put together tour, but was terrible in every other sense.”

He went with his mother to tour the salt mine, which he said was great, and the two also visited some smaller towns and castles in the region. In Krakow they visited Wawel Royal Castle and the Jewish Quarter. Towards the end of their trip, Eli and his family met up with some young people from a Pardes program and spent time studying Torah with them in both Warsaw and Krakow. Still, this was not a typical summer trip. “This was a pilgrimage, not a vacation,” says Eli. Before he embarked on his journey, Eli says he didn’t know much about Poland, except for its role in the Holocaust. He says that despite those dark associations, Krakow was a very beautiful city, and that people there had a good relationship with the Jewish community. “I heard about Polish antisemitism, but I didn’t see any of it, except of course verbal abuse around football, or as we call it: soccer.” On a more serious note, Eli says, “Someone told me Poland has the largest number of righteous gentiles, and the largest number of Nazi collaborators. It appears both are true. They own it and move on.”

As for the Jewish community in Poland, Eli says, “It’s complicated.” There is some historic internal conflict, but the small community typically rallies around the Jewish Community Center. He says what surprised him most was the reaction by the Jewish people to the well-known March of the Living pilgrimage that begins at Auschwitz on Yom Hashoah and ends in Israel to honor Israel Independence Day. “They think of it as a death cult,” he says, “They are offended the trip portrays the Jewish community in Poland as having died and been reborn in Israel. They are very much alive and don’t want to be swept aside.”

Finally, Eli says despite the sadness and heartbreak of the Holocaust, “Everyone should visit the camps. See it. Experience it.” By now he is back on campus in Washington, DC and has returned to the life a typical American college student. But when asked if the summer of “doing good,” met his expectations, Eli says simply, “It exceeded my expectations.” •

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

615.562.6328 • 5107 HARDING PIKE, NASHVILLE, TN, 37205

HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE YOU IN A NEW DIRECTION?

30 Burton Hills Blvd.

Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37215

Scan me!

615-665-9200

www.robinsins.com

Robins Insurance Agency, Inc.

VISIT WWW.SPERRYSMEATS.COM TO PLACE AN ORDER!

A L L R ECENTLY Sold 930 Chancery Lane

747 Brookside Drive

3 BD | 3 BA 2632 SF $2,090,000

3 BD | 2/1 BA 1160 SF $747,000

4338 Chickering Lane 2.29 Acres $3,025,000

Happy New Year

*represented buyer/under contract/off market

Julie Riven Dretler

Office: 615.327.4800 | Mobile: 917.929.2747 | jdretler@realtracs.com The Jewish Observer • September 2022

17

join us for weekend brunch!

11am - 3pm every saturday + sunday

Happy Rosh Hashanah - Jeffrey J. Zander, CIC and the team at Zander Insurance

4 Generations. Over 95 Years of Service.

LIFE • AUTO • HOME • IDENTITY THEFT • DISABILITY • BUSINESS • HEALTH • LONG-TERM CARE

ZANDER.COM 800.356.4282

18 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Vanderbilt Hillel 20th Building Anniversary O

n October 13, 2002, the Vanderbilt Hillel building officially opened its doors. And starting this September, Hillel is kicking off its 20th Building Anniversary with a series of celebrations and events highlighting the building’s 20-year history and those who helped make the dream a reality. Hillel will host a special small group dinner on October 13th for those who have been deeply involved in the formation of Hillel’s building as well as its continued success engaging the next generation of Jewish leaders, and other hosted events include the 20th Building Anniversary event during Reunion Weekend for Vanderbilt alumni and commemorating 20 years at the annual Taste of Hillel fundraiser on Sunday, February 26th.

In addition to these special events, Vanderbilt Hillel is calling on its local supporters who have been involved in the formation of Hillel and its building to send quotes, stories, and pictures for its 20th Building Anniversary commemoration booklet. All materials can be emailed to shannon.small@vanderbilt.edu.

Stay tuned as Observer Editor Barbara Dab interviews Executive

Vanderbilt University Hillel is kicking off its 20th Building Anniversary with a series of celebrations and events.

Director Ari Dubin in a special podcast about Vanderbilt Hillel’s 20th Anniversary which will be included in next month’s October Observer issue. •

Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!

Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

19

Akiva Reopens with New State-of-the-Art Playground

By ELLY EBIN

O

ver one hundred students began the school year at Akiva this year and compounding their first-day-of-school excitement was the chance to see and experience the brand new kindergarten playground, generously donated by Larry and Carol Hyatt.

The Hyatt’s have been longtime supporters of Akiva, noting that, “One of the most powerful ways of ensuring that our next generation has a strong Jewish identity is by providing Jewish Day School education.” Larry, who currently serves as the President of Akiva’s Board of Directors, added that, “For our kids, the Jewish Day School experience needs to be fun and joyous.”

Inevitably, when Larry and Carol learned that the kindergarten playground was no longer meeting those needs, they

were moved to get involved in replacing the old structure with a more sustainable, and natural based playground, filled with character and whimsy.

Head of School Rabba Daniella Pressner says, “Gifts like the one from the Hyatt family bring an opportunity for exploratory and imaginative play for our children, starting from their earliest years at Akiva.” Rabba Daniella adds that, “Playgrounds are spaces where children learn to take risks, to ‘try on’ new roles, to collaborate and to lead. These foundational skills are crucial to their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development and we are so grateful for Carol and Larry’s commitment and support of these ideals.”

The Akiva Community officially opened the new playground at a backto-school celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony during the first week of

school. Families were treated to music, games, and sweet treats, and had the opportunity to test out the new playground. The Hyatt’s granddaughter Eliana, now in first grade at Akiva, had a chance to test out the new playground with her classmates. “I love it,” said Eliana, adding, “It is so new and just feels more fun!”

The playground will be used primarily by Akiva’s growing kindergarten classes. “The new playground is an extraordinary space for our youngest students,” says Akiva Kindergarten teacher Ellen Haber, “The intentional design fosters the development of stamina, courage and strength, and compels our kids to work and play together.” Adventure awaits all Akiva students on the playground, and the Akiva Community extends its warmest appreciation to Larry and Carol Hyatt for their gift. •

Larry and Carol Hyatt explore the new playground with their granddaughter Eliana, a first grader at Akiva.

The Mezuzah Doctor is coming to Nashville W

ith the start of the Jewish New Year, Chabad of Nashville is bringing a scribe, known as a Sofer, to visit the Nashville Jewish Community. The Sofer will help inspect and ensure that all Mezuzahs are properly Kosher. The time of the High Holidays is traditionally dedicated to personal introspection, and according to a wide-spread Jewish custom, this includes checking the Mezuzot to ensure they are proper and fit for use Jewishly.

The mezuzah (Lit. “doorpost”) is a small scroll that contains the Hebrew words of the Shema, usually the first two beginning with the eternal words “Hear o Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One.” These words are handwritten by an expert scribe who is trained in the many laws involved in writing a mezuzah, including the requirement that it be written with special intention, that the words be written in order and on genuine parchment from a Kosher animal.

Mezuzah scrolls are rolled up and affixed (usually inside a decorative case) to the doorposts of Jewish homes, reminding those who live there of their connection to G‑d and their heritage. The Mezuzah is seen as a symbol of protection for the home. They say that a Mezuzah is an insurance policy, with a one-time fee and no annual premium.

At least twice in seven years, we take down our mezuzahs and have them professionally checked to ascertain that they are intact. The scribe examines the scrolls to ensure that no letters have been cracked or erased and that the mezuzah is still good. Our vigilance keeps our mezuzahs performing their function: bringing holiness, protection, and merit to our home.

It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is that a mezuzah should be purchased only from a reputable seller.

Unfortunately, many Mezuzot sold today do not conform to the proper kosher standards. Some of them are even printed on paper instead of parchment — essentially making them fake Mezuzot. Weather conContinued on page 21

20 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

JMS Pioneers New Strings Program

By ELLY EBIN

I

t has long been observed that students who study music perform better academically, and develop greater social awareness, co-operative behavior, and empathy for others. In the face of amassing research by psychologists, neurologists, musicologists, and education experts, all supporting the benefits of music education, music continues to fall through the cracks of curriculum design and school instruction. Jewish day schools, persistently challenged with time and resources, struggle to include music in their students’ education. Unfettered by the current, the Jewish Middle School is poised to buck the trend with their newly established strings program.

Several factors make the Jewish Middle School uniquely positioned to launch a successful strings program. The faculty’s collaborative nature, along with their interest in exploring creative and engaging educational practices makes it the perfect space to develop a music curriculum. The small class sizes at the school present an opportunity for a more intensive and comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of string technique and performance skills. Further, the proximity to an internationally recognized school of music means that JMS can collaborate with expert faculty and instructors. Recognizing this opportunity for JMS, founder Rabbi Saul Strosberg connected with Dr. Zack Ebin from Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music to help design a curriculum tailored to JMS students. Dr. Lorenzo F. Candelaria, Dean of the Blair School, believes deeply in the advancement of music education in the greater Nashville community and eagerly applauds the development of a JMS strings program. “The mission of the

JMS 5th grader Simeon Henderson practices his violin technique during class.

Blair School,” says Dr. Candelaria, “is to transform our world, one community at a time—through the arts, with the arts, and in the arts. We look forward to working closely with Rabbi Strosberg, Dr. Ebin, and the JMS strings program to forge new pathways for student success and socioeconomic mobility through music.”

JMS students will take part in a weekly class with Dr. Ebin and will perform their mastered repertoire at the end of the semester. Dr. Ebin is looking forward to working with the JMS students and reflects that, “Music and the Nashville Jewish community are two things I am very passionate about. I am

0HDQLQJIXO DQG +LJKO\ 6XEVLGL]HG :D\ IRU -HZLVK +LJK 6FKRRO 6WXGHQWV WR 7RXU ,VUDHO DQG &RQQHFW WR ,VUDHOL 3HHUV

Mezuzah Doctor

$SSOLFDQWV 0XVW EH )XOO\ 9DFFLQDWHG WR 7UDYHO

Continued from page 20 ditions can also affect the Mezuzah, causing even good Mezuzahs to become unkosher.

Especially here in Nashville, where there is so much humidity, it is very common for the scrolls to often need to be replaced.

All are invited to come and meet the Mezuzah doctor, known as the Sofer, on Sunday, September 11, between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM, at Chabad of Nashville. There will be a Mezuzah workshop as the scribe will demonstrate how he writes a Mezuzah at 11:00 AM, and a Tefilin writing demonstration at 2:00 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to bring their Mezuzahs to have them checked on premises. There will also be Mezuzot for sale at this event.

For more information about the Mezuzah project or directions on how to hang it, please contact Chabad of Nashville, at 615-646-5750, and we will be glad to come to your home and assist with your Mezuzah placement. •

8FhSF 0O :PVS .PWF

www.aginginplaceservices.net 629-999-2477 MRJS@aginginplaceservices.net

thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my knowledge as a music educator to one of our community’s schools.” Head of School Alene Arnold is equally excited to offer JMS students the opportunity to, “engage with the arts on a deeper level.”

Arnold adds that, “As a middle school in Music City, we have such a wealth of talent to tap into, and we are grateful for Vanderbilt’s support and involvement.” The new strings program at JMS is another outstanding example of the school’s commitment to providing an exceptional academic experience focused on the growth and development of the whole child. •

(DUO\ %LUG &RVW 5HJLVWUDWLRQ E\

-XQH ± -XQH

2SHQ WR WK WK *UDGH 6WXGHQWV

,QIR 6HVVLRQ 9LD =RRP 1RYHPEHU WK SP RU 1RYHPEHU QG SP *HW 0RUH LQIR 5693

&RVW RI H[SHULHQFH LQFOXGHV DLUIDUH DQG JURXQG H[SHQVHV WKDQNV WR JHQHURXV IXQGLQJ E\ WKH -HZLVK )HGHUDWLRQ -HZLVK )RXQGDWLRQ RI 1DVKYLOOH 0LGGOH 71 $GGLWLRQDO IXQGLQJ DYDLODEOH WKURXJK 0DU\ DQG +DUU\ =LPPHUPDQ <RXWK ([FKDQJH (QGRZPHQW )XQG ,QFHQWLYH *UDQWV KRXVHG DW -HZLVK )HGHUDWLRQ )81'(' %<

DGDP#MHZLVKQDVKYLOOH RUJ Judaism • Education • Connection • Spirituality • Friendship Meaning • Ancestors • Religion • Culture • Discovery • Fun The Jewish Observer • September 2022

21

Award-Winning Holocaust LET’S TALK RETIREMENT! Documentary Has Nashville Ties (…because it’s not just

By MARSHA RAIMI

“T

hree Minutes: A Lengthening,” which won the inaugural award from Yad Vashem for Cinematic Excellence in a Holocaust Documentary earlier this year, will screen at The Belcourt Theater on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 7:00 pm, followed by Q&A with author Glenn Kurtz. The film is narrated by Helena Bonham Carter and co-produced by Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”).

Three minutes of home movie footage, mostly in color, shot by Kurtz’s grandfather David, in 1938, are the only known moving images left of the Jewish inhabitants of Nasielsk, Poland, before the Holocaust. The documentary examines those precious minutes in intricate detail to unravel the human stories hidden in the celluloid. Glenn Kurtz’s mission to discover more about his grandfather’s film started a chain of events that revealed connections to Nashville.

Holocaust Survivor Maurice Chandler, who appears in the film as a boy, confirmed the location and identity of many of the townsfolk in the original clip. His childhood story and tale of survival form the heart of Glenn Kurtz’s book “Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering a Lost World in a 1938 Family Film.” In the book, Mr. Chandler gratefully recalls that a distant relative from Nashville paid for his passage from Europe to Detroit, Michigan after the war.

In preparation for her trip to Poland in 2018, Franklin resident and Detroit native Marsha Raimi read the book and was surprised to learn that Mr. Chandler

had met her father in the Warsaw Ghetto, when they were teens. She knew Mr. Chandler as a longtime business associate of her father Saul Raimi (z.l), also a Holocaust Survivor. She also learned that her grandfather had been born in Nasielsk, where he raised his family. As a result, she felt compelled to join Glenn Kurtz, film director Biana Stigter, and other Jewish Nasielsk descendents in May of this year for two days of events, including a screening of the movie, yards from where the original footage was shot.

Alyssa Trachtman, Director of Operations for Tennessee Holocaust Commission, commented, “The Commission is proud to sponsor the screening of this important piece of history, especially given its connections to Tennessee.

This is a wonderful way to remember the lives of our ancestors, not just their tragic deaths. We plan to use the original clip for middle and high school Holocaust education throughout the State.”

The Tennessee Holocaust Commission (THC) is sponsoring the screening, which is free and open to the public. To attend the (one night only) screening on Tuesday, Septemebr 13th, please reserve your seat here https://www. eventbrite.com/e/three-minutes-a-lengthening-tickets-404238848277. Please direct any questions to the Tennessee Holocaust Commission via email: atrachtman@tnholcom.org Listen to the podcast: Conversation with Marsha Raimi: A Journey into the Past •

Serving the Wealth Management Needs of Nashville For over 30 years, Argent has provided individuals and families with a broad range of wealth management services, including trust administration, estate planning, investment management and oil and gas (mineral) management, as well as a variety of services for businesses and institutions. Today, Argent is responsible for more than $35 billion of our clients’ assets.

We Look Forward To Hearing From You Howard Safer

Mindy S. Hirt, CFP®

Vice Chairman, Argent Trust

SVP, Wealth Advisor

3102 West End Avenue Suite 775, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 385-2718

www.ArgentTrust.com

22 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

about the money!)

By LORETTA SAFF

L

ucky you! In today’s column I’ve decided to offer you The Basics, Part One. We all know that sometimes when we are faced with transition in life, it really helps to get a few handy tips to feel prepared. That said, let me introduce my 10 Great Tips for a Successful Retirement.

[I’m sharing them with you in two parts because I think that facing a list of 10 anything is entirely too long to absorb all at once*. Besides, learning half of the list will build anticipation as you look forward to next month’s Observer!]

Once you have been introduced to all ten tips, remember that they apply to everyone, regardless of your retirement dates. The list is easy to understand, and it comes with a simple two-word instruction: START NOW. TIP #1 RETIREMENT IS A NEW BEGINNING In fact, I’ve suggested that the word itself should include the tag line, Imagine the Possibilities! To make it your retirement, it should be designed by you.

That’s why it’s time to think about who you are NOW ... after all these years.

What will you do when you have the time to do it?

So many of your goals included making money or gaining experience or getting the promotion ahead of Eric Berkowitz down the hall. Now, what’s next? And how do you decide?

Start by asking yourself what makes you feel fulfilled. What do you miss that you can do really well, and how can you bring it back into your life?

There is so much ahead for you to embrace and enjoy. Write down your current goals and create a ‘curious’ list to get started.

TIP #2 CULTIVATE FRIENDS BOTH IN AND OUT OF WORK When you leave the workplace, you may be leaving most of your friends.

Sure, occasionally you can meet them for lunch or a drink, but it will be very hard to nurture and keep those friendships.

Look around and establish new and interesting friendships. Spend time with people who like the same things you do. (You’ll know that better thanks to Tip #1!) Find someone who can teach you something new, then offer to share something you do well. (No, still no Beer Olympics!) And be sure they are people you can laugh with.

Staying connected is one of the most important parts of a successful retirement.

TIP #3. CONTROL YOUR EXPECTATIONS It may be hard to realize but here are a few expectations in retirement that need to be adjusted: 1. Your adult kids may not call you every day.

2. You may not be asked to chair the Condo board.

3. You will be automatically given the senior discount.

4. Your travel may be limited to just once or twice a year 5. You may be overlooked if not using email or text.

You decide what you want the future to look like and how to spend your time.

Get creative, stay flexible and make plans that include sharing with others.

TIP #4. STAY MENTALLY STIMULATED There is always something new to learn. Sometimes you may just want to sit in on an Adult Learning Class (for example, there’s China’s Modernization or Learning, Memory, and the Brain). Inquire about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and other opportunities near you. You will be surprised at the different courses being offered and the stimulating discussions that can occur.

And if you have a special interest or talent, offer to teach a class yourself!

Photography? Genealogy? You can be the teacher or the taught. (No, not strategies for the Beer Olympics!)

In addition, there are groups called MeetUps and other community gatherings based on specific interests. Do an internet search and check them out. It’s an inexpensive way to have fun and help you stay sharp and excited to get up in the morning.

TIP #5 – GET PHYSICALLY FIT NOW Actually, this tip could be called, “Avoid FOMO**!”

In the past, when a person retired at 65, he or she had maybe five to seven years of an active life ahead. Today, retirees have 15-30 years of choosing what they do and when they do it.

If you are not in the shape you want to be, it is not too late to start. Walking is exercise, and you can do it inside or outside. Join a gym. LuluLemon outfits are not required, and neither are bootcamps or high-level aerobics.

Just keep moving. You don’t want to struggle while on vacation or playing chase with your grandkids! Create an exercise routine that will keep you in shape and be the best you can be!

That’s it, Part One of my 10 Great Tips for a Successful Retirement. Now that you’ve read it, get started! By the time we get together next month, I hope you will have incorporated all these tips and started enjoying life a lot more, as well as feeling proud that you have been practicing for retirement!

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to send me a note c/o The Observer Editor, Barbara Dab, at barbaradab@ jewishnashville.org with some tales from the front lines.

Loretta * Ok, yes, an exception is The Ten Commandments! **FOMO = Fear of Missing Out •

Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!

Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

NPT and the Gordon JCC Present: THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST although we accepted more refugees than found on www.pbs.org. any other sovereign nation, America Over the next few months, the could have done so much more to help Gordon JCC and NPT will continue disthe millions of desperate people fleeing cussion on topics presented in THE U.S. he Gordon JCC and Nashville Public Nazi persecution.”

AND THE HOLOCAUST with addiTelevision invite the community to This documentary was inspired in tional screenings from the film and vital a special preview of THE U.S. AND part by the United States Holocaust conversations. On November 10th, we THE HOLOCAUST, a new documentaMemorial Museum’s “Americans and will examine prejudice, and resilience, ry by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sarah the Holocaust” exhibition. It combines and the role of Jim Crow laws in Hitler’s Botstein, on Wednesday, September 14 first-person accounts of Holocaust witideology, with speakers Dr. Saul Kelner, at 7PM in the Gordon JCC’s Pargh nesses and survivors and interviews with Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies Auditorium. In addition to the preview, leading historians and writers, examining at Vanderbilt University, and Elliot the event will include a screening of Our the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany Robinson, Program Specialist Nashville American Family: The Mays. This story in the context of global antisemitism Public Library Civil Rights Room. On about the local May family, who many and racism, the eugenics movement in January 26th, in acknowledgement of know as running the May Hosiery Mill in the United States and race laws in the Wedgewood-Houston, also tells how the American south. The series, written by Mays were instrumental in helping hunGeoffrey Ward, sheds light on what the dreds of Jews escape to America before U.S. government and American peoWorld War II began. The program is free ple knew and did as the catastrophe and open to the public. unfolded in Europe. While we have yet THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST, to preview the series, PBS has shared is a three-part six hour series, which will that the documentary, The U.S. AND air on September 18,19, and 20, at 7-9 THE HOLOCAUST, dispels competpm CT, on Nashville Public Television. ing myths that Americans either were It examines America’s response to the ignorant of the unspeakable persecution Holocaust and asks, “Did America do that Jews and other targeted minorities enough?” As Ken Burns reminds us, faced in Europe or that they looked “History cannot be looked at in isolation. on with callous indifference. The film While we rightly celebrate American tackles a range of questions that remain ideals of democracy and our history as essential to our society today, including a nation of immigrants, we must also how racism influences policies related to grapple with the fact that American immigration and refugees as well as how institutions and policies, like segregation governments and people respond to the and the brutal treatment of indigenous rise of authoritarian states that manippopulations, were influential in Hitler’s ulate history and facts to consolidate SPTZ-40OB RoshHashanaObserver_2021.qxp_SPTZ-40OB RoshHashanaObserver_2021 Germany.

And it cannot be denied that, power. This information and more can8/4/21 be 1:18

By SHARON BENUS, GORDON JCC ADULT AND COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

T

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we will explore the impact on Children, Immigrants, and Refugees with Felicia Anchor, former chair of the TN Holocaust Commission and chair of the Nashville Holocaust Memorial, Michal Becker, Engagement Director at the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and Sasha-Nicole Cory, a therapist who works with refugee communities. For more information, reach out to Sharonb@nashvillejcc.org.

For reservations to the September 14 showing, please visit nashvillejcc.org/ usandtheholocaust. •

L’shana tova. Wishing you a year of happiness, peace and good health. – The Sprintz Family

CRAWFORD SERVICES “The Name You Can Trust” SM

)81(5$/ +20(

More than 300 sofas, 100 beds, 90 dining room sets and thousands of items in stock. When you think selection, think Sprintz!

NASHVILLE & COOL SPRINGS

Chu C Ch hu h ucckk & H Heid eiide eeid iid de Craw raw ra awfor ffo ord or

Providing Funeral Services Since 1985 (615) 254-8200 www.crawfordservices.com

sprintz.com

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

23

hand rolled, kettle boiled bagels made fresh daily

breakfast, lunch, catering, dine in or pick up at The fairlane hotel

24 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

5783

Happy New Year KEEP CALM KEEP CALM And HAVE a HEALTHY and HAPPY SHANA TOVA U’METUKAH

Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther, Rabbi Berel, Tzivia, Mushka, Meni, Rafael and Eliyahu.

Rabbi Chaim and Bassie and Musya.

Levi, Chana and Sarah Tiechtel

Wishing our Nashville Jewish community a happy, sweet and peaceful 5783.

L’shana tova u’metuka!

Cantor Tracy Fishbein, Glenn Turtel Anna and Joshua

Shanah tovah u’metukah!

May the new year be a good and sweet one for you, and for us all!

Rabbis Lindsey & Michael Danziger

The Clergy Team of Congregation Micah: Rabbis Flip & Laurie Rice Cantor Josh Goldberg Wish all y’all the a sweet and meaningful new year!

To our beloved Nashville Jewish Community.

The clergy of Congregation Sherith Israel, along with our families, would like to wish one and all a new year of health, happiness, and deep fulfillment.

Rabbi Saul Strosberg, Cantor Dov Rosenblatt, Cantor George Lieberman

May you be blessed with a year of great health and sweetness; and the clarity to know what to think and do. May all fear and worry be transformed to revealed goodness with the coming of Moshiach.

May this New Year bring hope, health and blessings to all.

Wishing you a year of health, blessings and peace.

Shanah Tovah u’Metukah!

Shana Tova Umitukah! Rabbi Shlomo and Nechama and the crew, Mendel, Chaya, Ruvi, Perel, Moish, Zalman, Yossi

Meital, Abi, Iara, Jess & Rabbi Joshua Kullock

Rabbi Shana & James Mackler Hannah & Sylvie

Chabad of Nashville wish you a sweet year of Good Health a Year of Love, Laughter, and Joy. L’Shana Tovah u’Metukah

Shana Tova U’M’tukahMay 5783 usher in a good year, a sweet year, a year of health and peace.

The Parents, Faculty and Students of Beit Miriam @ WES

L’Shanah Tova West End Synagogue Wishes You A Very Happy

L'shana tova May your name be inscribed in the Book of Life 3810 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205 615.269.4592 westendsyn.org

May the New Year bring joy, growth, and good health to our entire Nashville and Middle Tennessee Jewish community.

Eric B. Stillman and Rabbi Jessica K. Shimberg

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

25

!‫שנה טובה ומתוקה‬ Wishing the Community a Sweet New Year!

Have a Happy & Healthy New Year Carolyn, Larry, and Mark Levine Tzipi, Samson, and Marissa March

-Congregation Sherith Israel

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year Marcia & Lee Stewart

HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Jill and Dan Eisenstein

“Have a Healthy and Happy New Year” Bobbie and Alex Limor and family

Le-Shanah Tovah Tikkatevu

Reva Heller 26 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Happy New Year From Goldie and Mark Shepard and Family

Wishing you good health, happiness, peace and prosperity. Today and all through the year! L’shanah Tovah from your friends at Akiva School.

Have a happy, healthy New Year!

MERYL & KEITH KRAFT

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year Beth, Tommy, TJ and Kayla Ducklo

Wishing all our Friends in the Community a Happy and Healthy New Year Steven, Esther, Evan and Carolyn Remer, Jordan and Megan Remer

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jamie, Alison and Chuck, Andrea, Kevin and Brayden and Leo, Leslie and Howard Kirshner

A day of joy, a time of hope, a year of happiness.

Wishing you peace at Rosh Hashana and always.

Anna-Gene and Scott O’Neal Ayla and Bates

With gratitude for the many years of love and support from our Nashville Jewish Community!

Happy New Year to All! Carrie and Garrett Mills

Wishing all our friends and family a very Happy Sweet New Year.

Barbara and John Dab

Shana Tova 5783

Shana Tova!

We hope you'll join us in the new year as we connect, convene, and create community at the Gordon JCC!

www.nashvillejcc.org The Jewish Observer • September 2022

27

-FTMJF ,JSCZ 1SFTJEFOU &SJD 4UJMMNBO $IJFG &YFDVUJWF 0GGJDFS

28 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

A Rosh Hashanah New Year’s Eve Dinner with ALL of the Trimmings A s High Holidays 5783 will roll around very soon, many are deciding where they plan to attend services. Yet, there is another aspect to this special season. Just as spiritual preparation is needed as we approach the High Holy Days, holiday meal preparation also remains an important feature of our traditions. Jewish people are known to be major foodies (our friends and neighbors still can’t believe that we prepare Thanksgiving-worthy meals every week for Shabbat!), and we wear our chef badges with pride.

Our foodie tendencies are heightened during the autumn months when Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot-- which fall close together on the Hebrew calendar-demand the preparation of consecutive, extravagant festive meals.

Chabad of Nashville will be hosting a New Year’s Eve gourmet dinner, prepared by one of Nashville’s premiere chefs. The Rosh Hashanah Meals will include several of the traditional foods which symbolize blessings for a Sweet New Year. The meals will include the traditional round Challah, apples and honey, sweet brisket, mashed potatoes, tzimmes, and honey cake.

According to Jewish mystical teachings, when the Jewish holiday meals are prepared and eaten with the intention of enhancing the intrinsic holiness of the day, the very food itself becomes elevated.

RSVP for the Rosh Hashanah Dinner at Chabadnashville.com. For more info. Call 615-646-5750. •

Shofar in the Park Comes to Nashville T

he Jewish people have been blowing the Shofar, a simple hollowed out ram’s horn, for thousands of years in celebration of Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the Jewish New Year – also known as the birthday of humanity. According to Jewish law, one must hear the blasts directly from the shofar itself. No other medium will do — not a microphone, not a computer, not even a slight echo.

Intrinsically, the Shofar is not just a sound. It is a cry. A prayer. A soul-awakening, personal, meditative, and rousing experience. Hearing the shofar is the main commandment associated with celebrating the Holiday.

For Rosh Hashana 5783, sophistication will give way to simplicity, as Chabad of Nashville will once again host, “Shofar in the Park,” where many will gather in the park to hear the blasts of a lone shofar (ram’s horn).

“Shofar in the Park,” will take place on Monday, September 27, at 5:45 PM in the Edwin Warner Park, Highway 100 near the intersection of Old Hickory Blvd. The sounds of the shofar will be

sounded as the New Year is celebrated, and apples and honey for a sweet new year will be distributed.

In the past, Shofar in the Park has taken place across the country in many parks and beach fronts. From Central Park in Manhattan to Yellowstone National Park in Montana, from Venice Beach in Los Angeles, to South Beach in Miami, Shofar in the Park now comes to Nashville.

“The idea is to allow as many people as possible to observe the central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah,” says Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel, with Chabad of Nashville. “The Park is an open and neutral place where every person is welcome. It doesn’t matter if you have any prior Jewish education. It’s irrelevant if you pay dues; are affiliated or unaffiliated, all are welcome to come as you are and hear the shofar.”

The event is free and open to the public. Rain or shine. Children, singles, families, all are welcome. To learn more about Shofar in the park, please go to www.chabadnashville.com. •

Writers of the Lost Ark Writers of the Lost Ark, the Temple’s writer’s group, recently got a head start on the High Holy Days by sharing their works in a special showcase that focused on the season’s theme of peace and renewal. Here are two poems that were featured that night.

The first is written by Frank Boehm, inspired by Yom Kippur, while the other is a collaborative effort of 12 writers who were each challenged to contribute two lines. In order of their creative endeavors about peace and renewal are the following writers: Nina Pacent, Rick Forberg, Betsy Chernau, MaryBeth Stone, Rabbi Michael Shulman, Frank Boehm, Becky Warren, Rise Tucker, Ruth Thomas, Loretta Saff, Martin Sir and Brennan Langenbach.

Yizkor on Yom Kippur is a special time to remember, to love, and to mourn. Let these words below be your guide: It is time once again to close eyes and ears, And let sight and sound around you disappear.

It is time once again to turn thoughts inward, deep within your being, And bring those you loved, but are now gone, to life.

As your mind turns quiet and images draw near, There they are, their presence so clear.

They appear so real, look so alive.

You can see their face that you remember well.

It is but a moment in time, yet peace flows within.

As you remember, a tear and smile coexist.

It is time once again to connect with a memory.

A time to remember and once again love.

In stillness I am reminded of all who came before me And in motion, of all who will come after It is now.... the only moment we ever have to make thoughts into action of lasting meaning Now, yes, now is the time to remember what was, and think— Yes, think about who and why and respond from the heart Because the heart is where the divine spark resides— And all time—present, past and future—is alive in it.

In stillness I imagine all that will be, And in motion, I am mindful of all who urge me forward Since it is forward we must go, As we take with us all those who came before And it is still we must become To remember who we are Yet memories can’t define all that we will be Imagination is the force behind human destiny.

The unbroken chain of hopes and dreams From past to future and in between Keeps motion forward – the choices vast Excitement mounts with each Shofar blast!

Ancient sound resonates deep within Moving me forward with courage To face the grief and joy as one And pass through, renewed, to carry on.

MTSU Holocaust Studies Conference Returns After Four Year Absence

By BARBARA DAB

M

iddle Tennessee State University’s Biannual Holocaust Studies Conference returns September 22nd and 23rd. This year’s conference is the first since Covid interrupted plans in 2020.

The event draws scholars from around the world from diverse disciplines to share their research with other academics, the university’s students, and the general public. The theme is Teaching the Holocaust Today, but papers will be presented on a wide range of topics related to the Holocaust. Dr. Elyce Helford is a Professor of English, Director of Jewish and Holocaust Studies Minor, and Co-chair of the conference. She says,

“Learning about the Holocaust provides a vital touchstone for understanding why it is important to remember the genocide of millions of people. Interest combined with lack of knowledge can lead to denialism, misinformation, and more hatred.”

The two-day conference includes featured and keynote speakers. According to Helford the highlight of each conference is hearing from a Holocaust survivor. This year child survivor Sonja Dubois will discuss her 2020 memoir Hidden Child: The Netherlands. The book details her harrowing life story beginning from the age of two when her parents boarded a train in Holland without her, bound for Auschwitz and certain death. Helford says stories like

Dubois’ provide valuable lessons that resonate today. “By delving into stories like this, it helps us understand hate crimes and antisemitism today, as well as suffering that goes beyond the Holocaust.”

She says modern day research continues to uncover new information about the extent of concentration camp network created by the Nazis. “We’re finding there were hundreds, maybe thousands of camps, many very small. Some were little more than farms where Jews were forced to live in barns with minimal food and basic comforts, in order to provide slave labor.”

Included in the programs are presentations of research by scholars and students. Topics range from the effects of the

Holocaust on survivor children, to how to handle memorials to the Holocaust, to the use of time travel in Holocaust study.

In addition, there are lectures and panels about the experiences of the millions of non-Jews who were also victims, such as gay victims and other persecuted groups.

Helford says, “There is a fantastic combination of academic panels to share new ways of understanding the Holocaust and antisemitism.”

The Holocaust Studies Conference includes many programs that are open to the public, with many offered for free to teachers and students. For more information, visit: https://mtsu.edu/holocaust_ studies/conference.php or email elyce. helford@mtsu.edu. •

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

29

High Holy Days – 5783 Congregational Schedules Chabad of Nashville

During the High Holidays, The doors to heaven are open to all… so are ours!

ROSH HASHANAH Eve of Rosh Hashana, Sunday, September 25 Candle Lighting and Service to welcome the New Year 6:15 PM New Year’s Eve Dinner 6:30 PM Monday, September 26, First Day of Rosh Hashanah Morning Service…10:30 AM Children’s Service…11:00 AM Rabbi’s Sermon followed by Shofar sounding …11:30 AM Mussaf ….. 12:30 PM Shofar in the Park and Tashlich…5:45 PM Tuesday, September 27, Second Day Rosh Hashanah Morning Service…10:30 AM Children’s Service…11:00 AM Rabbi’s Sermon followed by Shofar sounding ……11:30 AM Mussaf …..12:30 PM Tuesday, October 4, Yom Kippur Eve Kol Nidrei Service…6:00 PM Wednesday, October 5, Yom Kippur Day Morning Service…10:30 AM Children’s Service…11:00 AM Yizkor Memorial Service…12:15 PM Ne’ilah Closing Service…6:00 PM Havdalah Service and Kamen Break Fast…7:03 PM All services will take place at Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, 95 Bellevue Road, in Bellevue.

To RSVP or for more information please contact us at 615-646- 5750 Rabbi@chabadnashville.com or www.chabadnashville.com

Congregation Micah SELICHOT - Saying I’m Sorry: Saturday, September 17th, at 8 PM In-Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, & YouTube Start the season with soul searching done the Micah way: beautiful music, penitential prayers, personal testimonials, and good food. We replace the covers on our Torah scrolls with white ones to remind us that change is possible, and that each of us has the power to repair our relationships, our lives, and the whole world – all while we renew our sense of wonder and purpose.

NAVIGATING THE DAYS OF AWE: Wednesday, September 21st, at 6 PM on Zoom Ever wondered what the High Holy Days are actually about? Why do we go to the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Will I be spiritually changed? Challenged? Moved emotionally? What can I do to prepare? Discover the answers to all these questions and more in conversation with Rabbi Laurie about the approaching holy days.

EREV ROSH HASHANAH – THE JEWISH NEW YEAR’S EVE: Sunday, September 25th, at 7:30 PM In-Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, & YouTube OPEN YOUR HEART “Return to Me with all your hearts…”

-Joel 2:12 Bless your hearts for being here in the “Buckle of the Bible Belt” as we kick off the new year in song to celebrate the world’s birth. In the Jewish tradition, the heart is the seat of all emotions - the vessel of both our feelings and our wisdom. So, tonight, don’t be like Pharoah who hardened his heart! Return to Micah, to community, to the sacred within and all around us. Open your heart to all the possibilities that come with fresh starts. As with any spiritual experience, you are more likely to succeed in feeling fulfilled if you put your whole heart in it!

So whatever negativity you feel towards Micah, Judaism, God, the world, etc., let it go or let it be, for tonight the Jewish world reminds us of the ancient prophetic call to return to our roots and leave despair behind so that we may enter the new year with courage, confidence, and faith. Revisit with us the stories, songs, and spiritual disciplines of the season.

ROSH HASHANAH –MORNING SERVICE: Monday, September 26th, at 10 AM In-Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, & YouTube EXPAND YOUR MIND “…forgive with a perfect heart and benevolent mind.”

-Mishneh Torah Repentance 2 If you want to be stimulated spiritually and intellectually, best to be in the right “frame-ofmind.” The mystics would often meditate for hours before beginning morning prayers, so if you are joining us in person, come early and get a good seat. And if you are joining us virtually, then turn us on early for some warm-up music and thoughtprovoking ideas. This service is designed to nourish your mind with the prayers and theology of our ancestors set to modern musical settings and framed with logical interpretations that speak to the realities of today. Prepare your brain to be captivated by the power of Torah, your mind to be blown by the blasts of the shofar - ram’s horn and your intellect tickled by the provocative nature of the rabbi’s sermon, all while being inspired by the sense of authenticity our community has to offer.

Then join us for the party of the year where we cast off the old and taste the new.

TASHLICH – Casting Off Our Sins: Monday, September 26th, immediately following Morning Service, In-Person Upon the conclusion of the morning service (and weather permitting) we will observe the ancient custom which originated in the Book of Micah of casting out all our missteps and mistakes – all the stuff we do not want to bring with us into the New Year. Journey with us to the back of our campus for a short song session and a modern take on this ageless ritual.

FAMILY SERVICE – Modeling Hope: Monday, September 26th, at 4:00 PM In-Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, & YouTube Babies, tiny tots, preschoolers through grandparents are welcome to experience the music, messages, and magic of Micah on this holy day. Rabbi Flip & Cantor Josh Goldberg lead this energetic and celebratory service for the young and young at heart. It is sure to be the best service you and your child have attended this year, sho-far!

BIRTHDAY PARTY OF THE WORLD: Monday, September 26th, at 4:45 PM In-Person Only Ready to party like it’s 5783? Usher in the new year with old friends and new! Our annual celebration includes balloons, face painting, photo booths, a birthday cake, and more. Want to teach your family to greet the future with optimism? Attend the party and they will come to understand what fresh starts and community all are about.

SHABBAT SHUVAH – The Sabbath of Return: Friday, September 30th, at 6:00 PM In-Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, & YouTube For the contemplative, this service affords us the opportunity to reflect between the start of the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement. Meditative music, periods of silence, and introspective readings invite participants to return once again and ponder the season’s many messages, while embracing all the joy that Shabbat has to offer.

CEMETERY SERVICE – Remembering: Saturday, October 1st, at 10:30 AM In Person only Honor those people in our past who inspire us to live more fully in the present and future. Held on the most sacred grounds on our campus, Rabbi Laurie and Cantor Josh Goldberg lead mourners in the rituals of kever avot – visiting the graves of our loved ones.

TASHLICH – Paddleboarding: Sunday, October 2nd, at 1:30 PM See website for details.

KOL NIDRE – THE VOICE OF OUR COMMITMENTS: Tuesday, October 4th, at 7:30 PM In Person, Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook & YouTube NOURISH YOUR SOUL “ ֖‫שָׁך‬ ְ ‫ֱֹלהיָך ְב ׇּכל־ ְל ָבבְָך֥ ּוב ְׇכל־נַ ְפ‬ ֑ ֶ ‫ו ָ ְ֣א ַהב ְ֔תָ ּ ֵ ֖את י ְה ָ ֹו֣ה א‬

30 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

You shall love your God ‫ יהוה‬with all your heart, with all your soul…”

-Deuteronomy 6 A person with a beautiful soul is kind, confident, genuine, and balanced. People with beautiful souls make others feel safe and at peace. You get a physical every year. It is time for your spiritual!

Tonight, Jews gather in synagogues and online all over the world to take a reflective look “under the hood” and recalibrate our moral compasses within.

On this, the holiest night of the year, be inspired by the warmth of a compassionate community, moved by the majesty of the music, and transformed by the journey of the soul.

YOM KIPPUR - A DAY OF FORGIVENESS: Wednesday, October 5th, at 10:00 AM In-Person and on Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, YouTube CONNECT WITH YOUR BODY “‫שׁמָתֹו‬ ְ ִ‫ש ּי ָצְתָ ה נ‬ ׁ ֶ ‫ עַד‬- until his soul left his body” -Berakhot 61b Judaism teaches that the body and soul are separate yet indivisible partners in human life.

Rather than imprisoning or corrupting the soul, the body is a God-given tool for doing sacred work in the world. It requires protection, care, and respect because it is holy. At Micah every-BODY is welcome. Link your voices to the collective prayers of our people in-person or virtually in what is certain to be the most moving Monday morning on your calendar this year. Deny your body the food you feed yourself every day and feast instead on feelings of reflection, repentance, and a resolve to do better. Spend the day praying and reflecting with us and it is sure to go fast! And nothing will improve your character more than the “Coming to Micah Moments” that this holy morning affords.

PANEL DISCUSSION 12:30 PM Sanctuary What’s happening in our schools and why you should care! A panel of specialists assembled by our NOAH (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope) Core Team address issues like book censorship, the Hillsdale school controversy, and state versus local control of school curriculum.

SPIRITUAL INVENTORY: Southern Word 12:30 PM Eden Room An interactive Spoken Word Workshop led by artists who will explore themes of forgiveness to help us emerge transformed.

HEALING SERVICE: Praying Through Pain 2:00 PM Chapel Grief, loss, physical and/or spiritual pain. They are all a part of life. Rabbi Laurie & Cantor Josh Goldberg employ the wisdom of the Jewish tradition in leading this intimate circle in a series of healing prayers and therapeutic exercises. Therapy for the theological soul, the music and readings will afford you the chance to emote and the inspiration to restore hope.

SCHMOOZE & VIEWS - Talk Politics: Wednesday, October 5th, at 2 PM In Person only in the Education Wing We keep our politics off the pulpit, but not out of the building. Dr. Bob Smith lay leads this political conversation that normally takes place weekly in our library. All opinions welcome. Please bring an open mind and a sense of humor.

LEARN ON-LINE – Open the Door for Elijah: Wednesday, October 5th, at 3 PM On Zoom only Connect Virtually as Kabbalist and Rabbi Ethan Franzel leaves the zoom door open for Elijah the Prophet and all who wish to understand the mystical connections between his role in Judaism and that of Jonah.

LETTER WRITING PROJECT – The Ties that Bind: Wednesday, October 5th, at 3 PM In Person only in the Education Wing A quarter century ago, Micah congregants, teachers, students, rabbis, and staff wrote letters that were placed in a time capsule to be opened and read by their counterparts in 25 years. A first grader reads a letter from a first grader, a congregant from a congregant, an administrator to an administrator, a teacher to a teacher, a rabbi to a rabbi. The box is open and it is time to write letters of our own to the future.

Continued on page 31

FAMILY SERVICE – Modeling Forgiveness: Wednesday, October 5th, at 4 PM In-Person in the Sanctuary and on Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, YouTube Rabbi Flip and Cantor Josh Goldberg explore the themes of the day for young children and their extended families. Music, stories, Torah, and kid-like confessions!

YOUTH SERVICE – Pray with your “Peeps”: Wednesday, October 5th, at 4 PM In Person only in the Eden Room Experience Judaism with those your own age as Rabbi Laurie & Guitar Aficionado Aaron Tessis create a safe space for our young people as they journey through the liturgy of the day. Dramatic interpretations, camp-like songs, and peer participation are hallmarks of this “youth group-like” prayer experience for 6th graders and up. Adults are invited to sit this one out.

YIZKOR - Memorial Service: Wednesday, October 5th, at 5 PM In Person in the Sanctuary and on Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, YouTube Take off the mask of normalcy and let out the pain of loss. Share space with others in the community who have lost loved ones. Beautiful music, words of inspiration, and support from others - there is rarely a dry eye in the house.

NEILAH - Calling It A Day!: Wednesday, October 5th, Immediately Following Yizkor/Memorial Service In Person in the Sanctuary and on Livestream on Micah Website, Facebook, Youtube After hours of spiritual work, we lay it all on the line and close the gates on the day that bridges heaven and earth with a short, home stretch service that is a favorite of members. Highlights include Havdalah with us all on the bimah and a final knock your socks off blast of the shofar. So good, you won’t want Yom Kippur to end!

SUKKOT – PJ’s, Pancakes, & Paper Chains: Sunday, October 9th, 9:30 AM In Person On the Front Patio Help us get the Sukkah ready for the week.

Expressing your artistic side at Micah comes without strict guidelines. Be as creative as you like.

We will provide some traditional décor based on the harvest: gourds, fruit, lights, paper chains, a lulav, etrog, etc. all we need you to bring is your children and a good mood on this happy holiday.

SIMCHAT TORAH - Celebrating the Cycle: Wednesday, October 19th, at 5:15 PM In Person in the Social Hall You can dance if you want to, but at Micah we leave no friends behind. This musical service includes booging with the Bible – the Torah scrolls that is! Cantor Josh Goldberg and Rabbi Flip lead our celebration as we unwrap the Torah and wrap up the season on this magical night.

What should I wear?

A suit and tie. Or jeans and a t-shirt. Or something in between. Our services are not about your clothes, they’re about your spirit. We’re happy to have you no matter what you’re wearing – as long as you’re wearing something, please.

Sherith Israel

5:55 pm Late Mincha 6:09 pm Yom Tov Candles 6:10 pm Kol Nidre Wednesday, October 5 Yom Kippur 8:00 am Early Minyan 9:00 am Main Minyan 4:20 pm Mincha 5:45 pm Neilah 7:04 pm Shofar, Havdallah, and Break-fast

The Temple

Selichot Program & Dessert Reception 7:00 PM, September 17, Hybrid, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Evening 7:30 PM, September 25, Hybrid, The Temple Tot Rosh Hashanah 8:30 AM, September 26, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Family Service 8:30 AM, September 26, Hybrid, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Youth Programs (K-6th grade), 10:15 AM, September 26, RSVP Required, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Morning 10:15 AM , September 26, Hybrid, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Reception 12:30 PM, September 26, The Temple Rosh Hashanah Tashlich 12:45 PM, September 26, At the Creek , The Temple Creek Rosh Hashanah Family Experience Creek 4:00 PM, September 26, At the Creek, The Temple Creek Shabbat Shuvah 6:00 PM, September 30, Hybrid, The Temple Kever Avot – Cemetery Service 1:30 PM, October 2, The Temple Cemetery Yom Kippur Evening – Kol Nidre 7:30 PM, October 4, Hybrid, The Temple Tot Yom Kippur 8:30 AM, October 5, The Temple Yom Kippur Family Service 8:30 AM, October 5, Hybrid, The Temple Yom Kippur Youth Programs (K-6th grade) 10:15 AM, October 5, RSVP Required, The Temple Yom Kippur Morning 10:15 AM, October 5, Hybrid, The Temple Congregants’ Hour 12:45 PM, October 5, Hybrid, The Temple

Monday 9/26: Rosh Hashanah Afternoon: Blessing of the babies born in 5782 (from last Rosh Hashanah to now) at 4:00 pm followed by our Tashlich service to symbolically cast away our sins.

Tashlich will be held by the bridge at Carden & Roland Avenue.

Join us for the three-block walk from the Synagogue at 4:45 pm. There is limited parking on Carden. If you must drive, park on Roland Avenue.

Mincha Services will be held back at the Synagogue around 6:00 pm.

Tuesday 9/27: second day Rosh Hashanah 9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 10:30.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.

See below for children’s services schedule.

Friday 9/30: Shabbat Shuvah, The Shabbat of Repentance Please join us for kabbalat shabbat and maariv services from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Saturday 10/1: Shabbat Shuvah, The Shabbat of Repentance Please join us for Shabbat morning services from 9:30-11:30 am. followed by a kiddush lunch.

Sunday 10/2 @ 10:00 am: Personal Yizkor Ceremonies at the West End Synagogue Cemetery. Call for directions.

Tuesday 10/4, 5:45 pm: Please join us for Mincha services followed by Kol Nidre and the blessing of this year’s b’nai mitzvah students. Rabbi’s sermon will be around 7:30 pm.

Services will be held In-person and will also be live streamed.

Wednesday 10/5, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm: Yom Kippur morning services with the recitation of Yizkor (after 11:00 a.m.). Rabbi’s sermon will be given at approximately 11:00. Services will be held In-person and will also be live streamed.

Wednesday 10/5: Join us for Mincha and Neila for Yom Kippur beginning at 5:00 pm and the Blowing of Shofar, followed by Ma’ariv and Havdalah at 7:03 pm.

Services will be held In-person and will also be live streamed.

For information on streaming our services, please contact the WES Office at office@westendsyn.org.

Afternoon Service 2:00 PM, October 5, Hybrid, The Temple Yom Kippur Afternoon Experiences 3:15 PM, October 5, The Temple Yizkor Memorial Service & Ne’ilah Concluding Service 4:30 PM , October 5, Hybrid, The Temple Break the Fast 5:45 PM, October 5, RSVP Required, The Temple Sukkot Shabbat Service & Habitat For Humanity Celebration 6:00 PM, October 14, Hybrid, The Temple

Sunday, September 25 Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 am Selichot 8:15 am Shacharit 6:22 pm Yom Tov candles 6:25 pm Mincha/Maariv

Sukkot Study & Shabbat Morning Service and Yizkor 9:30 AM - Study 11:00 AM - Service, October 15, Hybrid, The Temple

Monday, September 26 Rosh Hashanah Day 1 7:30 am Early Minyan 8:30 am Main Minyan 12:45 pm Community Luncheon 6:25 pm Mincha/Maariv 7:15 pm Yom Tov Candles

Simchat Torah Festive Oneg 7:00 PM, October 21, The Temple

Tuesday, September 27 Rosh Hashanah Day 2 7:30 am Early Minyan 8:30 am Main Minyan 6:25 pm Mincha/Maariv 7:14 pm Havdallah

Monday 9/26: First Day Rosh Hashanah Services are from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 11:00 am.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.

See below for children’s services schedule.

Simchat Torah Family Shabbat Service 6:00 PM, October 21, Hybrid, The Temple

Please see thetemplehub.org and templenashville.org for updated schedule information

West End Synagogue

Wednesday, September 28 Fast of Gedaliah 6:10 am Selichot & Shacharit 6:10 pm Mincha/Maariv 6:59 pm Fast Ends

WE WILL BE STREAMING SERVICES AGAIN THIS YEAR Saturday 9/17 @ 7:35 pm: Maariv and Havdalah followed by dessert Reception and a screening of “Upheaval”, The Incredible Life Story of Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Selichot Services will begin immediately following the screening at 9:30 pm.

Tuesday, October 4 Kol Nidre 6:25 am Selichot & Shacharit

Sunday 9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:00-7:00 pm Rabbi’s sermon will be at approximately 6:30 pm.

MAHZORIM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS TO BORROW WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND SERVICES IN-PERSON SUGGESTED DONATION OF $18.00.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S IN-PERSON ONLY SERVICES **BABYSITTING AVAILABLE WITH RSVP** Monday 9/26: first day of Rosh Hashanah Start the year with Tashlich!

Families with young children services (6 months -first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am12:00 noon.

Join us for our congregational Tashlich ceremony.

We will Meet at the Synagogue @ 4:45pm.

Tuesday 9/27: Second day Rosh Hashanah.

Blow your own Shofar for the New Year!

Families with young children services (6 monthsfirst graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am12:00 noon.

Wednesday, 10/5 YOM KIPPUR morning Services Families with young children services (6 months -first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 10:30am-11:30.

Locations for children’s services to be announced. **there is a charge for babysitting. Please email office@westendsyn.org to RSVP and for further information

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

31

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

@ 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, Twitter, and Instagram @MicahNashville; sign up for our e-blasts; learn and pray with us in-person or on YouTube, Zoom, and our Livestream. In our tent, there is room for everyone!

Weekly Events

@ Chabad /Congregation Beit Tefilah During the High Holidays, The doors to heaven are open to all… so are ours!

Chabad of Nashville will be hosting services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 5783, and our doors are open to all who call upon us, with love, warmth, and friendship.

The community is invited to join Chabad for traditional High Holiday Services blended with contemporary messages and insights in a warm and welcoming environment.

Whether your background in Jewish prayer and practice is extensive or limited, the services will leave you feeling enriched, connected, uplifted, and energized to start your new year off in a most meaningful way.

For children! Chabad will also offer a full program of well supervised activities for children ages: 4-12 years. Children get to experience the joy of holidays in their own special way-in their own designated room, close to their parents.

Kids love this program and learn a lot in the process, ensuring that Chabad High Holidays will be a meaningful and enjoyable experience for the entire family.

During the services the rabbi will share insights and inspirational stories related to the significance of the day, prayers will be recited in Hebrew and English, all in a warm and family friendly atmosphere, and children’s services will be offered for young families.

For a complete schedule of High Holiday services go to Chabadnashville.com

Order your Own Personal Lulav and Etrog Set “You shall take for yourselves...the fruit of a citron tree, the branches of date palms, twigs of a plaited tree, and brook willows.” (Leviticus 23) During the Holiday of Sukkot, we observe the Mitzvah of the Lulav & Esrog (The Four Kinds).

As this year some families will not be attending services in person due to Covid19 precautions, Chabad of Nashville is pleased to make this beautiful Mitzvah available to every family in the Nashville community. Chabad is offering a special opportunity to order your own Lulav and Etrog set from the Holy Land, Israel. It is a beautiful Mitzvah for each family to have their own set for Sukkot, as this is a very special Mitzvah. These sets are available to order at chabadnashville.com.

All orders must be placed by September 23, 2022.

The Lulav set orders can be placed at chabadnashville.com

Chabad to host two TGIS celebration in September 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, September 9 and 23, 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

Jewish Women’s Circle meets with Rebbetzen Esther Join the Jewish Women’s Circle every Shabbat for a lesson on “Rising Above,” A Practical Guide to Emotional Mastery.” Discussion is led by Rebbetzen Esther Tiechtel, every Shabbat day in the month of September, at 12:45 PM, in the Bernard Ballroom at Chabad of Nashville. Lesson is preceded by a beautiful Shabbat lunch which is open to the Nashville community.

32 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Sanctuary Shabbat Services: Fridays at 6 PM

At Micah, we approach God in many ways: the inspiration of words, the beauty of sacred space, and the authenticity of our intention, 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 5:15! Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Saturday Morning Torah Study: Saturdays at 9 AM on Zoom

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

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 In-person

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.

Programming at Micah - September 2021 Micah Reads: Monday, September 19th, at 7 PM on Zoom

All are welcome for a special Zoom discussion on the book Children Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Cox.

Sports Trivia: Tuesday, September 13th, at 10:30 AM In-Person

Have you ever wondered who was on 3rd base when Bobby Thompson of the New York Giants hit “the shot heard ‘round the world” to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951? Find out the answer to this question and many more when you join Martin Light and other Micah members for an hour of sports trivia on the second Tuesday of every month. Questions? Contact Martin at martylight@aol.com.

Women’s Circle: Friday, September 16th, at 12 PM In-Person

Rabbi Laurie challenges your intellect through study and conversation on Judaism and other relevant topics. All are welcome. Bring a friend!

@ The Temple September 2021 Events All programming can be accessed via thetemplehub.org unless noted to be in person

Pirkei Avot: Jewish Wisdom for Today’s World Every Friday from 5:00-5:40 PM

Get ready for Shabbat with a little text study! Each week we will study a piece of wisdom from Pirkei Avot, The Ethics of our Ancestors, an ancient Jewish text still relevant in our own times.

Available in person at The Temple and via zoom.

Zoom Room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81973096738

Shabbat Schedule for September

Our Shabbat Services will be held in person at The Temple. You can also watch via zoom from thetemplehub.org.

Friday, September 2nd~ 6:00 PM Friday, September 9th~ 6:00 PM Friday, September 16th~6:00 PM-BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS Friday, September 23rd ~ 6:00 PM –BLUE JEAN SHABBAT Friday, September 30th ~ 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 thetemplehub.org

At Our Congregations…

Shabbat Morning Service September 10th at 11:00AM

Join our clergy for a peaceful Shabbat Morning Service on Saturday, September 10th at 11:00AM in the Chapel. Challah and Wine/Grape juice will be served upon the conclusion of services.

Women’s Torah Study September 22nd and 29th 12:00-1:00 PM

Ongoing weekly women’s Torah study led by Patty Marks.

Available in person at The Temple and via zoom through thetemplehub.org

Lunch with the Rabbi Thursdays, September 1st, 8th and 22nd 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 thetemplehub.org or by calling the Temple at 615-352-7620 Available in person and via zoom.

Zoom Room: thetemplehub.org

Culture and Mourning: FREE community education from Alive & The Temple. Join us to learn about Jewish traditions related to mourning and death.

When: Thursday, September 15 | 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at The Temple Rabbi Shana Goldstein Mackler will share information on Jewish mourning traditions followed by a panel discussion. Stay for conversation, refreshments and participate in a ritual stone painting to leave on a loved one’s grave or keep as a touchstone.

Learn more about Alive’s education programs: AliveHospice.org/Education For more Information, please contact Sheri Rosenberg at sheri@templenashville.org.

Playground Playdate at “Red Park” at Shelby Park.

9:00-10:30am on September 10th

Challah will be provided. A time for parents and children to meet and connect!

For more Information, please contact Sheri Rosenberg at sheri@templenashville.org.

Torah on Tap at 6:30pm on September 20th at Tailgate Brewery

This is the time for all Nashville Jewish young adults to come meet Temple’s new senior rabbi, Rabbi Michael Danziger and ask him any question that comes to mind.

First drink and snacks on The Temple.

For more Information, please contact Sheri Rosenberg at sheri@templenashville.org.

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

September 6th & September 20th September 6th- Diane & Frank Marino September 20th – Bryan Cumming RSVP to Jamie Maresca at 615-354-1686 or via email at helpinghands@jfsnashville.org

Are You Looking for a Creative Outlet? Join Writers of the Lost Ark!

“Writers of the Lost Ark” meets the first Wednesday of each month currently via Zoom. This is a safe, supportive, and no pressure environment to share your creative ideas whether they be stories, songs, poems, or prose. The group is open to all regardless of how little or how long you’ve been writing. Those curious to find their creative side are welcome as well.

Wednesday, September 7th- 7:00-8:00 pm For more information, please contact ninapacent@bellsouth.net. Go to thetemplehub.org for Zoom info.

W.E.L.L- Women Engaged in Living and Learning Wine & Cheese and New Years Intentions

Wednesday, September 14th at 5:00pm at The Temple For more information, please see thetemplehub.org

SELICHOT Program and Dessert Reception Saturday, September 17th at 7:00pm

The Temple For more information, please see thetemplehub.org

@ Sherith Israel

Continued on page 34

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

33

At Our Congregations…

Continued from page 31

Monday 9/26: Rosh Hashanah Afternoon: Blessing of the babies born in 5782 (from last rosh hashanah to now) at 4:00 pm followed by our Tashlich service to symbolically cast away our sins. tashlich will be held by the bridge at Carden & Roland Avenue.

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE

Shabbaton RABBI with YSOSCHER KATZ

Rabbi Ysoscher Katz is the Chair of the Talmud department at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and the past Senior Rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul. He studied at the Satmar, Brisk, and Beit Yosef Navaradok yeshivot. He writes for publications including the Forward, Jerusalem Post, Makor Rishon, and the Times of Israel. He lectures widely, most recently in Jerusalem, Melbourne, Zurich, and LA, and has been a visiting scholar at Jofa, Eshel, Pearlstone and Limmud.

Schedule of Events FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER

BY RESERVATION ONLY | 615-292-6614 $20 ADULTS | $12 CHILDREN | $70 FAMILY

From Darkness to Light: The Fascinating Story of the Birth and Rebirth of the Mitzvah to Light Shabbat and Yom Tov Candles SHABBAT MORNING IIncluding the Excluded: The Story of How Science and Technology Eliminated "Cheresh" (a deaf and mute person) as a Halakhically Exclusionary Category SEUDA SHLISHIT When Our Primitive Understanding of Reality Evolves and Matures, How Does Halkaha Respond?

@ The Temple For links to the following services or programs, please email office@westendsyn.org

Shacharit Join us for in-person morning minyan!

Sunday services will be at 9 a.m. and Monday-Friday will be at 7 a.m.

Daily Mincha and Maariv service depending on Daylight savings times Join us for daily Mincha and Maariv, Monday – Friday and Sunday on Zoom only.

Kabbalat Shabbat You are invited to join us for Kabbalat Shabbat on Fridays in person or on the West End Live YouTube Channel at 6:00 p.m.

Morning Shabbat services You are invited to join us Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in person or on the West End Live YouTube Channel.

High Holiday Schedule Saturday 9/17 @ 7:35 pm: Maariv and Havdalah followed by dessert Reception and a screening of “Upheaval”, The Incredible Life Story of Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Selichot Services will begin immediately following the screening at 9:30 pm.

Sunday 9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:00-7:00 pm Rabbi’s sermon will be at approximately 6:30 pm.

Monday 9/26: First Day Rosh Hashanah Services are from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 11:00 am.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.

See below for children’s services schedule.

34 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Join us for the three-block walk from the Synagogue at 4:45 pm. There is limited parking on carden. if you must drive, park on Roland Avenue. Mincha services will be held back at the Synagogue around 6:00 pm.

Tuesday 9/27: second day rosh hashanah 9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Rabbi’s sermon approximately 10:30.

Services will be held In-person and will be live streamed.

See below for children’s services schedule.

Friday 9/30: Shabbat Shuvah, The Shabbat of Repentance please join us for kabbalat shabbat and maariv services from 6:00-7:00 pm.

CHILDRENS SERVICES (HIGH HOLIDAYS) Monday 9/26: first day of rosh hashanah Start the year with Tashlich!

Families with young children services (6 months -first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am-12:00 noon.

Join us for our congregational tashlich ceremony.

We will Meet at the Synagogue @ 4:45pm.

Tuesday 9/27: Second day Rosh Hashanah.

Blow your own Shofar for the New Year!

Families with young children services (6 months-first graders) 10:00-11:00 am. children must bring a parent.

2nd through 6th grade youth services 11:00am-12:00 noon.

Community Listings East Side Tribe East Side Tribe welcomes any and all for our monthly “last Friday of the month” Shabbat on September 30th. Please join us from 6:30-8:30pm for dinner and shmoozing. RSVP by emailing eastsidetribenashville@gmail.com We are always looking for hosts for future Shabbats and you don’t need to live on the East side to do that! Email if interested.

Hadassah Happenings: On September 18, Hadassah will host a Mimosas and Munchies reception for new and transferred members to Hadassah in the last two years. If you are new to Hadassah and/or new to Nashville please join the Hadassah board members and learn about social, educational and volunteer opportunities to support the philanthropic mission of Hadassah. Contact membership chairs, Robbie Lasky(robbielasky@gmail.com) or Bobbi Lipschutz(bobbilip1@gmail.com) to attend..

Coming to Nashville on October 30, award winning singer, songwriter, “Batsheva” will perform Ladino and Yiddish music at the Hadassah annual Donor. This event will support Hadassah’s critical assistance of Ukrainians through medical clinics at the borders and care of displaced Ukrainian children at Youth Aliyah. Become a sponsor and attend to support this lifesaving work. Contact event co-chairs, Marsha Jaffa (mjaffa53@gmail. com) and Sherri Holzer (sherri@iamsimplysherri.com) for more information.

Jewish Genealogy Society of Nashville: The next meeting of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Nashville will be Sunday, September 18th at 2:00PM Central Time. The agenda includes updates from the 42nd IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy; a discussion on upcoming speakers and programs, newsletter, and website. Please contact Scott Newman at nashvillejgs@gmail. com for more information and link to the meeting.

Nashville Israeli Folk Dancers Looking for a new way to get fit with good music and great camaraderie? Come and try Israeli folk dancing, which includes not only music and dances from Israel, but from many other countries, including Israel, 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 all-purpose room at Akiva School 5:45 – 6:15 pm - beginners (no experience necessary for the beginners’ session) 6:15 - 7:00 pm - intermediate and advanced 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

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

35

Wishing you and your family Good Health, Happiness and Peace. Today and all throughout the year!

L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu.

Your Friends at the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Alyssa Trachtman Ken Gluck Maureen Germain Alison Vick Lawrence Leibowitz – Commission Chair

www.tnholcom.org

36 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

People of the Books People of the Books features reviews by Elyce Rae Helford, PhD, a professor of English at Middle Tennessee State University. The column will feature books new and old, fiction and non-fiction, on all things Jewish. Helford, the descendant of Russian Jews on both sides of her family, is a Chicago native who has lived in the Nashville area for thirty years.

She teaches courses and publishes scholarship on Jewish American and Holocaust literature, film, and culture. Reach Elyce at elyce.helford@mtsu.edu or visit her at elycehelford.com.

All About Eva: A Holocaust-Related Memoir, with a Hollywood Twist by Vincent Brook

By ELYCE RAE HELFORD

I

have long enjoyed the writing of Vincent Brook, from his television exposé Something Ain’t Kosher Here: The Rise of the “Jewish” Sitcom to his exploration of Jewish directors who fled Nazi Germany to remake themselves in Hollywood, Driven to Darkness: Jewish Emigre Directors and the Rise of Film Noir.

Brook writes media history in vivid, persuasive prose and with obvious personal engagement. With such appreciation, imagine my delight to learn about his most recent book, a biography of his remarkable parents, entitled All About Eva: A Holocaust-Related Memoir, with a Hollywood Twist. Brook’s parents, Eva and Rudy Bruch (which became Brook in America) were among the lucky few who received visas to enter the United States in November 1938, after Kristallnacht made plain the fate that now faced all German Jews. But life was not easy upon arrival.

The Brook’s new life in a new land was complicated on both social and personal levels. As they dealt with anti-German sentiment and antisemitism in Los Angeles, Eva also began a long-term affair with actor Alexander Granach, best known in this country for his performances in the Hollywood films Ninotchka and Hangmen Also Die. The family soon suffered the damages of both the affair and Granach’s public claims that Tom (Vincent’s older brother) was his son.

While the untrue rumors did hurt Rudy, the memoir honors this man, a leader of Germany’s secular Zionist organization HeChalutz from 1934-1938, helping young Jews emigrate to Palestine.

Although he could not foresee the genocide, Rudy Bruch proved a hero by moving thousands of Jews out of the reach of the Nazis.

In addition to telling the history of his parents, the book delights in bringing to life Hollywood of the 1930s-1960s.

We learn of his father’s training as a lawyer and shift to gardening when the Brooks moved to Los Angeles, where his clientele included well-known members of the film industry and German intellectuals. Eva, meanwhile, had a massage practice for German emigres. From Fritz Lang and Salka Viertel to the Gershwins, we meet many of Hollywood’s elite as Rudy and Eva climbed the social and economic ladder, ultimately settling in the Pacific Palisades.

Even as they built their successes, Eva continued her relationship with Granach. In 1945, he proposed that the couple take Tommy and leave California.

He would do live theater in New York and marry Eva. Shockingly, this alternative suddenly vanished when Granach died during an emergency appendectomy while Eva and Tommy were taking the train to the east coast. This difficult triangle and its impact on the family form the core of this compelling biography.

Perhaps most accurate is to read this winding Jewish American tale as Vincent Brook wishes us to, as a saga and collage based on oral history, written documents, published autobiographies, and the author’s own recollections.

Because he is an academic at heart, he offers ample appendices and endnotes, including his informed imaginings and ample background details. Readers will find Brook’s voice both credible and moving throughout, uniting well the combination of personal reflection and history. To this he adds a signature wit that makes this a fast and enjoyable read.

Above all, there is great affection in this act of witnessing complex and sometimes painful family dynamics. Yes, while he engages and entertains us, Brook also encourages us to embrace the rich and difficult lives of our parents as individuals and as members of their place and time.

In the case of Eva and Rudy, we see the Holocaust, immigration, and assimilation as key to their personal history, context that have been formative of so many Jewish families today.

All About Eva: A Holocaust-Related Memoir, with a Hollywood Twist. By Vincent Brook. Jerusalem: Gefen Publishing House, 2021. 184 pp. with photographs. ISBN 978-9657023761.

Available at Amazon ($15.95 paper / $6.58 Kindle) and other booksellers. • Author bio: Elyce Rae Helford (www. elycehelford.com) is professor of English and director of Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. Her most recent publication is What Price Hollywood?: Sex and Gender in the Films of George Cukor. Reach her at elyce. helford@mtsu.edu.

Life Is fun and Games

Play your cards right, and discover a sweet senior living community.

From ice cream socials to card clubs, the lifestyle you’re looking for is here. Clarendale at Bellevue Place offers the freedom and independence of a private residence you’ll love, plus so many services, amenities and social opportunities— including game night. Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., groups gather for poker, bride and mahjong. No need to venture out to the club or to clean your house to entertain, just head to our pub, and join in the fun!

GET IN THE GAME! CALL 615-258-6364 TO EXPERIENCE CLARENDALE. INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!

Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

ClarendaleAtBellevuePlace.com 7632 Highway 70 South Nashville, TN 37221 8-22

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

37

Sweeten your new year.

We have the High Holiday essentials you need and the recipes you’ll love.

Find them at publix.com/highholidays.

38 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

September in the Galleries: Artists Lara Lenhoff, Kim Phillips, and Lisa Reed Preston.

T

he Janet Levine March Gallery will feature the work of Lara Lenhoff.

Lara Lenhoff is a South African, primarily self-taught, artist whose work is emotionally driven and inspired by music.

Her work is textured with bold color palettes that are heavily influenced by the energy she feels from the music she listens to in her studio. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States. She serves on the board of the Tennessee Art League.

The JLMG2 Gallery will feature the work of Nashville native, artist Kim Phillips. Kim decided to pursue her art after a 35-year career in sales and marketing. A convert to Judaism, she was certified as a pararabbinic at Hebrew Union College. She became a Hebrew teacher, art instructor, and speaker. It was while studying at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem that she found her calling to be a Judaica artist. Kim now lives in St. Louis with her partner, Mary Ann, and their two cats, Bert and Tovah.

The Sig Held Gallery will feature the work of Lisa Reed Preston. Lisa is

a self-taught artist who embraces the beauty of abstraction and interprets it through her fine art paintings, augmented reality paintings, and virtual reality art experiences. Growing up a military

Hamsa, by Kim Phillips

child and oldest of four, Lisa spent much of her youth moving and adapting to new environments. At the age of 11, she won her first art contest with a Martin Luther King, Jr. portrait and acrostic.

Upon moving to the Nashville area, she rediscovered her passion for creativity and became part of the Plowhaus Artist Co-Op until its dissolution. Most recently, Lisa has been part of the Nashville Arts and Business Council’s Periscope 2022 class.

5015 H di Somehow it Seems, by Lisa Reed Preston

House, by Aaron Vuckso

HAPPY NEW YEAR Personalized

Pet Painting

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

The Art Reception will be Wednesday, September 7th from 6 – 8pm. The Exhibition Dates are September 1st – 29th. The exhibitions are free and open to the public. Attendees will need sign in at the front desk. For more information, contact the Gordon JCC at 615.354-1699, Curator Carrie Mills at carrie@nashvillejcc.org, or go to www. nashvillejcc.org. •

Pik

(615) 352 7620

wishes you a Healthy & Happy New Year

Hand Painted Tallit

The perfect gift for your child or grandchild that will be treasured for a lifetime!

Choose a Tallit from the Temple Gift Shop and Rhonda Wernick will work with you to design the perfect imagery

Carrie Mills www.carriemills.com csmills4@hotmail.com 615-210-5044

PLEASE ALLOW 2- 4 MONTHS FOR COMPLETION Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support Type to enter text our community in all ways!

Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

For more information contact Julie Boehm at 615-260-6523 or email Rhonda Wernick at rhonda@dancingart.com 5015 Harding Pike • (615) 352-7620

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

39

Health and Wellness Corner

By SHERRI HOLZER

I

remember the first time I went to the grocery store after my daughter went off to college.

Without much thought, I grabbed my keys and purse and headed out to Whole Foods. The car seemed to know the route despite the haze I found myself in. Ventura Blvd was lined with giant crape myrtle trees. The August heat hadn’t faded the vibrant purple flowers. Above me was a bright blue ocean, a color very similar to Lauren’s big baby blues. After strolling the aisles mindlessly and filling up my cart with the usual - veggies, yogurts, and orange juice - somehow my Kia Sorrento remembered the way back home.

Ever since Lauren was a toddler, she loved orange juice. As a two-year-old, she asked every morning for her ‘“muice.”

I’d hear, no mommy I don’t want any chocolate “milp”, I only want my orange “muice.” Lauren’s obsession with OJ continued well into her teenage years.

Sleepovers always ended with a Sunday morning pancake breakfast. I have no idea how those 14-year-old girls guzzled glass after glass while devouring my triple

batch of chocolate chip pancakes.

I placed the two bright orange cartons right next to my almond milk on the second shelf of the fridge door. As it closed, I began to cry, thinking, “No one in this house drinks orange juice anymore and I bought two containers.”

It’s silly, but my heart felt like it had been torn into pieces realizing that no one was going to drink the juice.

Two years later when my son headed off to university, a very sweet Trader Joe’s employee was straightening the selves of potato chips and asked, “Are you ok?”

When I realized I didn’t need to put three bags of tortilla chips in my cart anymore, I had lost it. Tears streamed from underneath my eyeglasses. A pattern of wet tiny circles saturated the top of my pink silk blouse. Black flecks dotted my cheeks. I could feel the weight of them.

The heaviness poured out. I should have worn waterproof mascara! Did this mean there was no need to buy four blocks of cheddar cheese and a jar of extra spicy salsa either? Oh, my goodness! No one in our house will be making a giant tray of nachos every afternoon at 3:30pm.

Family dynamics change. The kids grow up and follow their dreams. I needed to adjust and appreciate the quiet. To remember the “us” before kids. Before the refrigerator and pantry overflowed with leftover pizza and grab n’ go snacks.

Classified Ads ADULT TRICYCLE

DRIVER NEEDED

Schwinn Meridian with electric motor and large basket. May use with or without the motor.

Handy for riding uphill.

Call 615-330-5228 or 615-353-5003 Contact Rusty $400.00 OBO

Reliable driver non smoker wanted. 917.836.0146

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

I needed to embrace the opportunity to be spontaneous, create a new normal, and remember to cross orange juice off my grocery list.

This is the recipe for our favorite pasta dish for two. Simple, fresh ingredients, delicious flavor and ready in less than 15-minutes.

INGREDIENTS • ½ cup bucatini pasta (spaghetti will do) • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta (vegan: try kite hill almond milk ricotta) • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, washed • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve • 1 lemon, zest and juice • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling • 1 garlic clove, pressed • ¼ tsp both salt and black pepper • Dash of red pepper flakes

Dear Esther Dear Esther, My son starts middle school this week and is so anxious about the school year. He worries it will be too hard, that none of his friends will be in his class and not having anyone to eat lunch with. He has always been a little anxious and I’m scared he will let his year be controlled by worrying about little things; how can we help him stop worrying?

–Bundle of Nerves Dear Bundle of Nerves, I want to first give you praise for having good communication with your son and being able to hear and talk about tough feelings. This is an important part of any close relationship and one that will serve you well throughout his adolescence.

The things that worry him may seem small to you, but they are big to him. Be cognizant of how you speak with him about his worries to not minimize his feelings. Keep supporting him by being

Business Card D i r e c t o r y YOUR GUIDE TO FINE BUSINESSES AND SERVICES AROUND MUSIC CITY. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS, THEY’RE THE BEST!

615.356.3242 EXT. 299

Advocacy • Administration • Project Management NEW CUSTOMER SPECIAL: 20% off your first 10 hours [4 hour minimum]

“My job is to make your life easier!”

JA NE R. S NYD ER Personal Assistant, Concierge & Family Advocate CallJane@comcast.net • 615-557-6277

| Jane@JaneRSnyder.com | 615.557.6277 |

40 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Meanwhile, make the ricotta sauce.

2. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

3. Stir and taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper.

4. Use a mug to remove one cup of the pasta water when the pasta is ready.

5. Drain pasta and place the spinach in the empty pot, then add back the noodles.

6. Add the ricotta sauce and part of the reserved cooking water. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed, you want a smooth and creamy texture.

7. Serve immediately and garnish with grated or shaved Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a couple lemon wedges. •

there for him when he wants to talk and give him tools to manage his anxiety.

Anxiety around starting a new school year is common. We all worry a little when starting something new if we don’t know what will happen. Try to address each of his concerns and suggest ways he might handle it to increase his chance of success. This can include helping him come up with a few strategies to make new friends, inviting someone to sit with him at lunch and organizational strategies to stay on top of the academics.

You mentioned your son has always been on the anxious side. There are many positive coping skills for anxiety including meditation, journaling, or grounding techniques. There are also several apps that can assist with these methods. If you feel his anxiety is interfering with his functioning or consuming a lot of energy, mention it to the pediatrician to rule out any medical causes and then you might want to consider short-term therapy. A therapist can help identify the sources of anxiety, teach him positive coping skills and provide support.

Adolescence can be a difficult phase of parenting. Keep loving and supporting your son and create a healthy support system for both of you. And the most important piece of advice I can give you is to keep talking. Good communication is the key to close relationships.

– Esther Esther recently migrated to Nashville from New York and will be partnering with JFS on an advice column for The Observer. Esther is a retired Psychologist, veteran grandmother who brings a lifetime of experience including dysfunctional families, raising children, relationships, kosher cooking and even interfaith families. Esther is excited to be in Nashville and promoting her famous matzo ball soup that she believes heals just about anything.

Please submit your questions to esther@jfsnashville.org on anything under the sun and watch for answers in her column. •

Kvetch in the City

By CARRIE MILLS

My new favorite initials…WJH. What Just Happened.

I feel like my whole life, and life in general these days can be summarized in those three little words.

Along those lines…stay with me here...I discovered a long time ago, that I am inclined to build castles in the air and then expect everyone around me to move in with me. I guess you can call that living in a fantasy. I try to counteract that tendency by living in the moment, in reality. It seems I’ve not yet mastered that ability, and anyway, everything is so WJH, the evening news is horrible, politics are insane, so on and so forth. To heck with staying in reality!

However, living in a fantasy does not bode very well, especially when it comes to dating. For example, when I reconnected with an old songwriting friend, let’s call him Joel for anonymity’s sake, on a dating app of all places, while up in NYC a few months ago, I whipped up a castle in the air so fast, all that was left to do was decorate.

We met in a coffee shop on the Upper West Side and initially I had a wonderful time reconnecting. We talked easily for a long time and then walked through street fairs and street markets.

Before I left, he asked if I’d like to write a song together next time I was up in NYC, which was two months down the road. I happily said. “Of course!”

As soon as we parted ways, I sent him a note saying how great it was to see him and he responded in kind. I was immediately flying high in my castle in the air. He was a little older than me, single, Jewish, creative, lived on the Upper West Side. We talked easily for hours. I knew him. He was cute in a disheveled intelligent kind of way, and it was great that he was familiar to me and we had somewhat of a past history together. It was all so encouraging as far as the road to Mr. Right was concerned. My castle was almost complete. All that was left was to decorate.

And then. Nothing. I mean nothing.

Nothing. As in no communication. Not a peep. Not a hello, not a how are you.

Weeks passed. Nothing. It became clear, he knew nothing of my castle in the air which involved him being in it.

I was just letting go of my little fantasy, when boom, Joel texts and wants to know if we are still on for the song writing session when I come to NYC in July. Hello? Why yes! Off I went right back up into my little cloud imaging his

Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!

Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here!

asking to song write as really an excuse to take me on a date, write hit songs together, get married, move into his/my dream NYC pre-war apartment, and live happily ever after.

Fast forward to the day I go to his Upper West Side apartment. Here’s the reality check, here’s the evening news… here’s the WJH. I arrive at the appointed songwriting time at his building. Let’s just say it was not a beautiful Upper West Side brownstone, or pre-war classic.

Reality started to set in. He opened the door to his apartment. Let’s just say he lived in a very, very, very, very bachelor pad environment. And in that I mean, no one seemed to be tidying up or scrubbing floors for a very, very long time.

Let’s just say, even with all that, I looked around and kept thinking, “I could make this place great in no time.”

Let’s just say, I sat on the one surface that seemed doable, a wooden chair. I tried my best to stay present and stay focused on the songwriting task at hand when I realized this was not a date, regardless of the fact that we connected on a dating app. As far as hit songs go, we couldn’t even get an iota of an idea started together. We talked, played each other songs and let’s just say, nothing clicked. No brilliant top 10, no hint of romance.

And then about 90 minutes in, he turns to me and says that he has to kick me out, he had to take a nap. He actually used the words, “kick me out.” WJH. Off I went, like some forlorn princess, into the humid, 95-degree day with all my castle in the air dreams melting like a much-anticipated ice cream cone, dripping all over my beautifully decorated palace.

Of course, I tried not to take it personal though I knew it would take some time to work through that very adult process.

And while my glorious castles in the air and reality have yet to meet, the REAL delicious vegan NYC ice cream cone I had that day bridged the gap for the moment.

And that my friends, is what just happened. •

Lifecycles B’rit Mitzvah Illyana Lubovich

Illyana Lubovich became a bat mitzvah on Saturday, August 13, at West End Synagogue.

Illy is the daughter of Lynnetta and Ron Lubovich and is the sister of Minha Lubovich and Kristen Bitner.

An eighth grader at Oliver Middle School, Illy enjoys playing music as a tuba player in the school band, a bass guitar player, and a drummer. She also enjoys gaming and spending time with friends.”

Parker Hamaoui

Parker Hamaoui will become a bar mitzvah at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, at Congregation Micah.

He is the child of Bert and Aylene Hamaoui, the sibling of Zachary and Peyton Hamaoui, and the grandchild of David and Mireille Hamaoui of Foster City, Calif., and Richard Delson of Spring Hill, Tenn..

An eighth grader at Heritage Middle School, Parker likes football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, music and theater. For a Mitzvah project, Parker helped support The Gentle Barn by providing blankets, food and other resources for the animals there.

Lily Goldner

Lily Goldner will become a bat mitzvah at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17. She is the child of Andrew and Caryn Goldner, the sibling of Ava Goldner, and the grandchild of Ellen Greenberg of Boynton Beach,

Fla., Alan Goldner of Boca Raton, Fla., and the late Henry Greenberg (z’l) and Harriet Goldner (z’l).

An eighth grader at Ensworth School, Lily enjoys hanging out with friends, family (including pets), as well as swimming, shopping, working out and being creative in the kitchen. For a mitzvah project, Lily has spent time raising money for local charities benefitting veterans and animals in need.

Abraham “Abe” Mikkelsen Sharfstein

Abraham “Abe” Mikkelsen Sharfstein will become a bar mitzvah at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, at The Temple. Abe was born August 19, 2009, in Nashville. His parents are Ann Mikkelsen and Daniel Sharfstein. His grandparents are Margaret and Steven Sharfstein of Baltimore, Md., and Mary and the late Curtis Mikkelsen of Seattle, Wash.

A seventh grader at University School of Nashville, he loves playing Dungeons & Dragons, reading comic books and manga, playing Pokemon, playing trombone, writing for the school newspaper and playing with his dog.

For Abe’s mitzvah project, he volunteers at the Matthew 25 Food Bank.

Belle Lawi

Belle Lawi will become a bat mitzvah at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24. Belle is the child of Neil and Emily Lawi and the sibling of Stevie Lawi.

An eighth grader at Ensworth School, Belle is a passionate horseback rider.

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

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year

HUNT MEMORIALS, INC 4807 GALLATIN PIKE | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

41

Obituaries Marion (Sis) Cohn

Condolences to the family of Marion (Sis) Cohn who died on July 28.

She is survived by her daughter, Betsy (Larry) Woods, and grandchildren, Michelle (Sam) Cayford and Alexander (Bailey) Woods.

Helen Lurie Downie

Condolences to the family of Helen Lurie Downie. 82, who died peacefully surrounded by her family at University Hospital in London, Ontario, on August 5. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, a daughter of Arthur and Jean Kincaid Noone.

Helen is survived by her children, Linda Kennedy (Sandy) of London, Michael Gross (Randall) of Nashville and Iain Downie (Graeme) of Toronto; grandchildren Chris Downie, Jordan Kennedy, Lilia Claire and Dorian Gross and great grandsons Joshua and Cole Kennedy. She also is survived by her sister Nancy Robertson (Jackie) of Glasgow and by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, brother Arthur and former husband John Downie.

Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Anova London, the London Food Bank or Akiva School Nashville.

Laura Kass Hochman

Condolences to the family of Laura Kass Hochman, who died on August 13. She is survived by her son, Michael Hochman (Natalie). Donations may be made in Laura’s memory to David Posnack JCC Cultural Arts Center or Congregation Micah.

Harry William Kartoz

Condolences to the family of Harry William Kartoz, 95, who died on July 2, in Atlanta, Ga. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Harry was born in Philadelphia on May 4, 1927, the fifth of six children of Jewish Russian immigrants, Louis and Golda Silver Kartoz.

Harry was a medaled WWII Navy Veteran who went on to earn a Bachelors of Science in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1948, he married the love of his life, Pearl Magid Kartoz and, together, they raised three daughters. They were married for 48 years until her death in l996.

Harry was an accomplished executive in the international chemical industry. With daughter, Linda, he founded ColorChem International Corporation, a specialty manufacturer of high performance colorants for engineering thermoplastics.

He was loved and admired for his family values, devotion to Judaism, wisdom, warmth, effervescence, generosity and beautiful voice.

He is survived by three daughters, Linda Kartoz-Doochin (Michael Doochin) of Nashville, Deborah Lalo of Dunwoody, Ga., and Gayle Printz (Steven) of Johns Creek, Ga.; nine grand-

children, Jonathan, Arielle and Jeremy Doochin, Robert, Deanna and Pamela Lalo, Matthew (Michele) Printz, Lauren (Devin) Vaisman, Michael Printz, and great granddaughter, Avery Vaisman.

Harry will be missed by all whose lives he touched, including his dear companion, Rachel Hazen.

Arlene Kaufman

Condolences to the family of Arlene Kaufman, 78, who died at her home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on July 27.

We extend our deepest condolences to Arlene’s son Dr. Michael Friedman and the family.

Born on January 29, 1944, in Takoma Park, Md., to Bertha and Isadore Gudelsky, Arlene became one of the Jewish world’s most notable philanthropists, visionaries and advocates. Her drive to make the world a better place created momentous impact in the Palm Beaches, Greater Washington, Nashville, Israel, and beyond.

As an unwavering advocate for Israel and the global Jewish community, Arlene’s meaningful philanthropy and organizational leadership included Jewish Federations of North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and Hillel International. Arlene’s greatest passion was strengthening younger generations’ connections with Israel and their Jewish community. Her impact will be felt for generations to come. She was among the first leaders of Birthright Israel and Masa Israel, a program of The Jewish Agency, where she served as international co-chair.

Arlene’s lifelong commitment to connecting the generations to the broader Jewish world continue to enable Nashville youth and teens to benefit from immersive experiences in Israel through the Mary and Harry Zimmerman Fund.

Prior to moving to the Palm Beaches, Arlene was a devoted leader of Greater Washington’s and Nashville’s Jewish communities and continued to support them long after relocating to South Florida.

Arlene served as board chair of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County from 2006-2008, and, annually, she and her beloved husband, Sanford (Sandy) Baklor were among its most significant philanthropists.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Sandy Baklor; her children, Michael Friedman (Sara), Iris Markel and fiancé Clark Monish, and Marc Friedman; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Ally and Kevin Markel; Daphne and Benjamin Friedman; and Cerri, Daniel, Jacob and Jessica Friedman.

Ruth Kornman

Condolences to the family of Ruth Kornman (Naomi Ruth Caplan Kornman). Ruthie was a native of Nashville. She was married to Harold Kornman for 63 years. They retired in 2003 and moved to Sarasota, Fla..

Ruthie is survived by her husband, Harold, and her children, Julie (Steve Mitchell), David (Pam Gibbons Kornman) and Paul (Sharone Frisch Kornman), and her grandchildren Hailey, Jacob, Isabel, Darby and Joey.

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at www.jewishnashville.org

42 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

Donations may be made to The Ann and Joe Kornman Memorial Fund c/o West End Synagogue, 3810 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37205

Frank Leon Parker

Condolences to the family of Frank Leon Parker, 96, who died on August 10. He was an internationally renowned nuclear waste disposal expert and elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

A true scientist, Frank was insatiably curious about everything. He went on to generate seminal works in what are now seven distinct disciplines, ranging from hydraulics to law to the scientific foundations of the environmental sustainability movement. Innovation and institutionalization of scientifically sound policies were his hallmarks and are his legacy, carried forward not only through his books and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, not only through the innumerable committees and commissions he served on or led, but also through the generations of leaders in countries across the globe who earned their advanced degrees under him or received his guidance and philosophy.

Among the Vanderbilt University community members who found Parker unforgettable are developer, engineer, and president of Bluebird Consulting and Mason Realty Investors Steve Mason; Engineering Endowed Director of Construction Management Professor Sanjiv Gokhale; Bob Waters of Sandia National Laboratories; Peter Jaffe of Princeton University; and Steve Hays of Gobble Hays Partners Inc. Ranging from his home institution of Vanderbilt University, where he retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Environmental Water Resources Engineering and Civil Engineering, and his home away from home in Vienna, Austria, where he spent time off and on from 1960 (at the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency) to 2013 (at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis), Frank lent his time and talent to the biggest nuclear and radioactive waste concerns on the planet, taking time out from his consulting to the U.S., Swedish, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Swiss, Indian, Pakistani, and Russian governments to guest lecture and teach short courses from Oxford, England, to the University of Tennessee. He visited Moscow 30 times, beginning in 1964 at the height of the cold war.

In the case of Lee Company v. North Carolina Board of Transportation, 308 N.C. 603, 611-13 (N.C. 1983), Frank’s expert testimony and the monograph he provided to the court set the precedent that a land owner is responsible for the downstream (and upstream) effects of changes they make to the speed and volume of water discharged from their property. The case has been cited in more than 40 legal opinions.

Parker’s two reports while a senior research fellow of the Beijer Institute of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences were the only citations in the radioactive waste section of Madame Gro Harlem Brundtland’s pioneering 1987 United Nations report, Our Common Future. Brundtland established and was chair of the UN’s World Commission on Environment and Development, best known for developing the broad political concept of sustainable development. The recommendations led to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Parker was a member of the Scientific

Advisory Council for the International Radioecology Laboratory, Slavutych (Chernobyl). He served as a lecturer at Christ College, Oxford, in a United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority course and as a lecturer in the Italian Physics Society course on nuclear problems at Lake Como. He also was a senior research fellow of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, Austria.

Parker was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1988 for “world leadership in the development of the basic information required for safe disposal of high-level radioactive wastes”, the first from Vanderbilt and the only Vanderbilt member for 25 years.

Parker served as the first head of Radioactive Waste Disposal Research for the International Atomic Energy Agency where he reached ambassadorial level.

He served as head of the Radioactive Waste Disposal Research Section of Oak Ridge National Laboratory during his 10 years there, where his research was the first ecological study of riverine contamination conditions and the first pilot plant development of disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in geological strata, Project Salt Vault.

Frank was the third person to receive the 2003 Wendell D. Weart Lifetime Achievement in Nuclear Waste Management Award sponsored by Sandia National Laboratory.

Frank was unanimously chosen to receive the 2018 W. Bennett Lewis Award for Sustainable Energy and Development from the American Nuclear Society. The award recognizes those who have made major lifetime contributions in nuclear science and engineering toward minimizing environmental footprints and attaining long-term global sustainable energy and development.

Jack Daniel’s drinkers can rejoice in the knowledge that the water supply for this Tennessee sipping whiskey is assured, thanks in part to work by Frank Parker. The Jack Daniel Distillery purchased the 250 acres that feed its single source of water after scientific studies in the 1980s. Frank answered the question that others could not—what was the source of the water that emerged in the Cave Spring Hollow?

Married for 67 years to the love of his life, Elaine Parker, Frank traveled with her to some 60 countries, from the fjords of Nordkapp to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, Australia to Argentina.

While working in Siberia, he took colleagues on the weekend to Lake Baikal.

It helped that his wife, Elaine, was a gourmet cook who, like his colleagues, was also interested in touring and eating adventurously. Frank and Elaine hiked and camped with their children all over the southern United States and in the intermountain west and northwest. Elaine passed in October 2021.

He is survived by his four children, Nina (Parker) Ganz, Aaron, Stephan and David; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He is survived by his brother Gerald and preceded in death by his brother Arnold.

Donations may be made in honor of Frank Parker to the Jewish Family Service of Nashville.

Larry Schmidt

Condolences to the family of Larry Schmidt, who died on July 28. He was the grandfather of Joshua Barton.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS

OPTOMETRIST

CATHY WERTHAN, CPA

DR. MICHELE SONSINO Optique Eyecare & Eyewear 2817 West End Ave., Nashville 615-321-4EYE (4393)

401 Commerce Street, Suite 1250 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 245-4070 • marcumllp.com

APPLIANCES

Custom senior care for active, healthy lifestyles. Affordable/no minimums.

Meals, meds, transportation & outings.

Memory loss and Hospital recovery.

Professional & screened care partners.

Locally owned. Call Moises for Free assessment: 615-678-9223 www.curaforcare.com

DENTIST

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

Lighting • Appliances • Hardware Kitchen • Plumbing • Accessories 615•843•3300 www.gohermitage.com

ATTORNEY MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY Family Law / Personal Injury / Probate Fifth Third Center 424 Church Street, Ste. 2250 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 (615) 256-5661 www.martinsirlaw.com

CARE GIVER

AROSA (formerly Family Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Integrated Care Management and Home Care Provider 2000 Glen Echo Road, Suite 104 Nashville, TN 37215 615-595-8929 143 Uptown Square Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-848-6774 768 N. Main Street Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-680-2771

Advertise in our Professional Services Directory Reach thousands of readers in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area by taking advantage of this cost-effective way to reach a loyal repeat audience!

Call Carrie Mills, Advertising Manager, to place your professional listing.

615-354-1699 carrie@nashvillejcc.org

STEVEN R. HECKLIN DMD BRITTANY L. BRADEN, DMD DAVID M. SMILEY, DMD Cosmetic and Family Dentistry www.drhecklin.com 5606 Brookwood Place 615-356-7500

GASTROENTEROLOGISTS

DR. JAMES W. KIRKCONNELL Bellevue Eye Center 7640 Hwy 70 S, Ste 102 Nashville 615-662-7588 www.bec2020.com

ORTHODONTISTS

GLUCK ORTHODONTICS Specialists in Orthodontics Dr. Joel Gluck DDS, MS Dr. Jonathan Gluck DDS, MSD 2002 Richard Jones Road A-200 615.269.5903 drgluck.com

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY DR. POINTER & DR. SHARMA Serving Hendersonville & Nashville 615-832-5530 or www.thegidocs.com

INSURANCE

DR. TODD A. RUBIN, M.D. Specializing in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Hughston Clinic Orthopaedics 615-342-6300

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

GIL COHEN / PERSONAL SHOPPER Partnering with Dillards 39 years Clothing / home decor / gifts Call or text 615-568-5187

ROBINS INSURANCE Bruce Robins, CPCU, CIC, ARM; Marsha Jaffa, CIC; Van Robins, CIC Auto, Home, Life, Health, Business Insurance 30 Burton Hills, Suite 300 Ph. 615-665-9200 • www.robinsins.com

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

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

INSURANCE/MEDICARE

PERSONAL SHOPPER

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE? Turning 65? Let us Assist you.

Jeffrey G. Brier CLU, ChFC, CASL jbrier@brier-brier.com. 401-751-2990 www.Brier-Brier.com

REAL ESTATE

MOVING & STORAGE

FRANKLIN PARGH 615-351-7333 franklin.pargh@compass.com LANA PARGH 615-504-2685 lana.pargh@compass.com www.pargh.com Instagram: @theparghteam

Let us exceed your expectations!

Pre/Post Move Organizing • Move Mgrs. Packing • Unpacking • Sr. Downsizing FREE CONSULTATION – 615.415.8920 www.HomeAndOfficeTransitions.com

JACOB KUPIN C - 615.440.6673 O - 615.279.5310 Jacob@TheKupinGroup.com We’ve got your back!

www.zeitlin.com Residential & Relocation Specialists

JESSICA AVERBUCH CEO, Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty 615-383-0183 (bus.)

615-294-9880 (cell) jessica.averbuch@zeitlin.com www.jessicaaverbuch.com LORNA M. GRAFF Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR 615-794-0833 (bus.)

615-351-5343 (cell) lorna.graff@zeitlin.com www.lornagraff.com NAN SPELLER Broker, GRI, ABR 615-383-0183 (bus.)

615-973-1117 (cell) nanspeller2014@gmail.com JENNIE ZAGNOEV Affiliate Broker 615-383-0183 (bus.)

615-838-2048 (cell) jennie.zagnoev@zeitlin.com

Local Expertise...Global Exposure!

Jackie Roth Karr, REALTOR® www.JackieKarr.com JackieKarr@gmail.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 Expredia Cruise Ship Centers A Full Service Travel Agency Alan Cooper: Office: 629-202-8945 www.cruiseshipcenters.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

The Jewish Observer • September 2022

43

Advertise in the

Entertainment & Dining Out Issue

OCTOBER 2022

Reach the Entire Jewish Community of Middle Tennessee We e know that you u will want to be included in this issue.

Advertiisers who contra act an n 1/8 pa age ad or larger can contact us s fo or in nclusion in articlles pertaining to your business.

All businesses that relate to Entertaining and Dining Out will receive 10% off the cost of their ad Pub blic catiion Date: Octob ber 1, 2022 Contact Carrie Mills 615.354.1699 or e-mail carrie@nashvillejcc.org

44 September 2022 • The Jewish Observer

•

Ad Deadline e: Sep ptember 15, 2022