What does the Federation really do?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville serves as the cornerstone of the Nashville Jewish community. As a consensus-building organization, our annual fundraising initiatives ensure the vitality of our community. The allocated funds, derived from the generosity of our donors, support the growth of local, national, and international Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. Federations play a vital role in fostering unity within Jewish communities across America.

 

How did the Federation get started?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville was officially established in 1936, but its roots trace back to an ancient concept. The idea of a communal response to the needs of Jewish individuals, especially the impoverished and ill, originated in medieval Europe. During that time, secular states excluded Jews from their jurisdiction and entrusted local Jewish "councils" with the responsibility of education, healthcare, feeding the hungry, elderly care, and burial services, which they financed and managed.

 

This necessity gave rise to the kehila, the local Jewish community, which ensured the well-being of individuals within its geographical boundaries, even with limited resources.

 

In Nashville, this tradition of caring for fellow Jews dates back to 1851. The first immigrants established the Hebrew Benevolent Burial Society, procured land for a communal Jewish cemetery, and formed an umbrella "relief" society. This longstanding commitment to Jewish communal welfare remains unbroken to this day.

 

Isn’t the Federation and JCC the same organization?

The Federation and JCC are two separate organizations. In Nashville, much like in numerous other communities nationwide, the Jewish Community Center serves as the central hub for both the Federation and the Jewish Family Service. These three distinct entities play specific roles within our broader community.

 

In Nashville, the Gordon Jewish Community Center provides its members with diverse opportunities to engage in Jewish cultural, educational, social, and recreational activities. The Jewish Family Service operates as a counseling, financial assistance, and case management agency, focusing on individual clients' needs. The Jewish Federation, through its Annual Campaign, raises essential funds to support these vital services.

 

Is the Federation more than a fundraising organization?

The Federation performs several key functions, including planning, budgeting, community relations, and offering two primary direct services. The Observer delivers news and opinions monthly to the Nashville Jewish community. Additionally, the Federation funds and oversees the Jewish Library and Archives programs, situated in the JCC building. Moreover, the Federation leads collaborative initiatives to address community needs. A recent instance of this is the formation of the Senior Services Committee. This committee supervises the implementation of various programs and services for senior adults by different organizations in the Nashville Jewish community, based on a recent needs assessment process.