Statements

Mission

The Jewish Federation of Nashville is the central voluntary communal organization of the Jewish community. Through its fund-raising and community relations efforts, either independently or in partnership with other Jewish organizations, the Federation works to promote the general welfare, viability and cohesiveness of the Jewish community of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people, locally in Israel and around the world.

Background

How did the Federation get started? The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee was incorporated in 1936. But the concept is much, much older. The idea of a Jewish communal response to the needs of Jewish individuals, particularly the poor and sick, dates back to medieval Europe. It began when secular states declared Jews outside their authority and gave the responsibility for educating the young, nursing the sick feeding the hungry, caring for the aged and burying the dead to local Jewish "councils" to finance and administer. Out of necessity grew the kehila, the local Jewish community, which saw to it that the welfare of the human souls living within its geographical borders were met, no matter how limited the resources. In Nashville, this long tradition of caring for the needs of fellow Jews showed itself as early as 1851 when the first immigrants to settle here established the Hebrew Benevolent Burial Society, purchased land for a communal, Jewish cemetery and became an umbrella "relief" society. That tradition of commitment to Jewish communal welfare continues unbroken today. Aren't Jewish community centers and federations really the same organization? Not at all! It is true that in Nashville as well as in many other communities across the country, the Gordon Jewish Community Center is the home for the Federation as well as for the Jewish Family Service. each of these three very distinct agencies has a unique role within our larger community. In Nashville, the Gordon JCC offers its members opportunities for experiencing a wealth of Jewish cultural, educational, social and recreational activities. The Jewish Family Service is a counseling, financial assistance and case management agency for individual clients. The Jewish Federation raises the funds to finance these basic, important services through its Annual Campaign. Is the Federation more than fundraising? The Federation's other principle functions are planning and budgeting, community relations and two primary direct services. The Observer provides news and opinions twice a month to the Nashville Jewish community. The Federation also funds and manages the Jewish Community Archives housed in the Gordon JCC building. In addition, the Federation spearheads collaborative efforts in response to community needs. For example, in recent years the Federation conducted studies of our Jewish population and senior needs, which led to the creation and enhancement of services provided by affiliated agencies.

Impact

The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee revamped its grants distribution process in 2010 through the Best Jewish Nashville initiative. Following a broad-based interview process including focus groups, three priorities area were identified for special funding: Services for Seniors, Outreach to the Next Generation and Israel Advocacy and Education. Over the past four years more than 31 different programs have received funding addressing these areas of need. The results of these special funding of 'new initiatives has been a substantial increase in the number of individuals who are now engaged in programs funded by the Jewish Federation. The goals for the coming year include enhancing transportation services for seniors, providing more hot kosher meals for seniors, increasing the number of volunteer opportunities for young adults, engaging more young adults in philanthropic activities and providing the entire Jewish community with opportunities to become more informed advocates for the State of Israel.

Needs

What does the Federation really do? The Jewish Federation, through both its Annual Campaign and through designated and unrestricted funds of generated by the Jewish Foundation, provides critical financial support to local, national and overseas services which touch the lives of thousands in both the Jewish and general communities. Federation also is the convening partner to help Jewish communal institutions look at issues of mutual concern. Finally, Federation represents the Jewish community through its Community Relations Committee in contact with government, the media and other religious and nationality groups.

CEO Statement

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is positioned to meet both anticipated and unanticipated Jewish needs as well as broader community needs. For example, the Federation and its beneficiary agency, the Jewish Family Service, provided emergency services to many families impacted by the devastating Nashville flood in May of 2010. More recently, the Federation was able to respond quickly with emergency funds for Jewish families affected by the unrest in the Ukraine. What makes the Jewish Federation unique is its ability to respond quickly and effectively to a variety of special needs that are supported by a collective campaign.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations  - Philanthropy/Charity/Voluntarism Promotion (General)
Secondary Category:	Religion- Related  - Judaism
Tertiary Category:	Community Improvement, Capacity Building  - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution

Areas Served

TN - Davidson

TN - Williamson

TN - Sumner

TN - Wilson

TN - Rutherford