Unetaneh Tokef by JENNIFER RICHLER Feelings
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the Jewish bserver www.jewishobservernashville.org Vol. 80 No. 9 • September 2015 17 Elul 5775-17 Tishrei 5776 New Year Shana Tova 5776 Greetings, page 12 2016 annual campaign begins; aims to raise $2.5 million to sustain Jewish communities here and around the globe By CHARLES BERNSEN here were plenty of stalwart veterans among the volun- teers who gathered last month for the launch of the Jewish Federation of the meeting room of the Gordon Jewish Nashville and Middle Community Center for an initial hour- TTennessee’s 2016 annual campaign. But long workshop. there also were some eager young rookies. This marks the fourth year in which Andrea and Kevin Falik, both 29, are campaign volunteers have been divided co-captains of a team of volunteers who into teams for a friendly competition will focus on engaging young adults in the called the Kehillah Cup Challenge. For annual campaign, which is seeking to the 2016 campaign there are eight teams, raise $2.5 million that will be distributed each with a captain and between five and to 77 institutions and programs in eleven members who have been assigned Nashville, Israel and Jewish communities to solicit up to half a dozen members of around the world. Andrea and Kevin Falik (on right) are co-captains of a team that will focus on engaging young the Bonim Society, whose previous annu- “Andrea and I look at this as an adults in the 2016 annual campaign of the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Here they are talking with Batia and Aron Karabel, co-chairs of the philanthropic arm of al gifts range from $1,000 to $100,000. opportunity to help build a community of NowGen Nashville. The “players” score points not just for young Jewish adults who are involved and the donations they secure but also for committed,” said Kevin, the senior direc- campaign, both are continuing long fam- “We’re here together as a team with arranging face-to-face conversations with tor of BBYO’s Cotton States Region, ily traditions of involvement in their the goal of having Jewish conversations prospective donors and taking photos which includes Nashville. Jewish communities. In fact, Andrea’s and building the commitment that will with them. The team with the most Andrea is a native of Nashville and aunt is Federation Campaign Chairman continue to sustain our Jewish communi- points wins the opportunity to assign an Kevin of Houston, TX. While new to the Lisa Perlen. ty,” Perlen told the volunteers gathered in Continued on page 3 Meryl Kraft grew up at JCC and The Deli Man has “always kept coming back” Sept. 24 tribute planned for retiring adult programming director By CHARLES BERNSEN eryl Kraft’s first job at the Jewish Community Center was as coun- selor in training for the summer camp program. That was David “Ziggy Gruber,” owner of Kenny and Mback in 1967 when she was 13 – and Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Restaurant in she’s been working there in some capaci- Houston, Texas, will be on hand for the screening of Deli Man at the Nashville Jewish ty pretty much ever since. Film Festival, which begins next month. Kraft will retire at the end of this Gruber is the central figure in director Erik month after holding a remarkable variety Greenberg’s documentary on kosher Jewish of positions at the center, including stints delicatessens, the final installment of his tril- ogy on American Jewish culture. A full story as public relations director, summer camp Meryl Kraft makes announcements at a recent TGIT luncheon for seniors. “Meryl is like the is on Page 10 and schedule is on Page 11. Continued on page 3 den mother of the seniors,” says Joel Mazor, a TGIT regular. (Photo courtesy of Cohen Media Group) A Publication of the Pardes scholar Federation Partnership to be in Board opposes 2Gether Nashville for Iran nuclear projects will Global Day of deal; readers pair visual Jewish Learning and columnists artists, on Nov. 15. express their young adults. page 4 views, pro page 9 and con. WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG pages 29 and 30 Have a sweet year. And share what Rosh Hashanah means to you. #RoshHashanahPublix 2 September 2015 The Observer Campaign Continued from page 1 additional $10,000 to an area of service of its choice. As an added incentive this year, the player with the most points also will get to direct an additional $2,500 to an area of service of his or her choice. Though she acknowledged the team format is “a little kitschy,” Federation Campaign Director Naomi Sedek told the volunteers it has been quite effective. First, it helps build both camaraderie Dianne Berry (right) is captain of a team among the volunteers and enthusiasm that includes Rae and Bruce Hirsch. among donors, who like being part of a friendly competition – especially for a Federation can help fulfill them. cause they find meaningful. (At least These kinds of one-on-one Jewish three other federations have adopted conversations are exactly the approach some form of the team competition for philanthropic organizations like the their own annual campaigns, Sedek said.) Federation must undertake if they are to Just as important, it has helped the be successful in the 21st century, said Federation achieve its goal of transform- fundraising expert David Saginaw, the Fundraising expert David Saginaw told volunteers to translate their interest in donors into a Jewish conversations that are “both an expression of your commitment and their passion.” ing the annual solicitations for donations featured speaker at the kickoff workshop. of Bonim Society members into “Jewish Fundraising used to be mostly about with so many more options for charitable “This makes a huge difference in conversations” in which the solicitor and the institution, its goals and effective- giving, the focus is explaining to donors terms of the Jewish conversations you potential donor meet face to face, make ness, said Saginaw, who has been both a how the institution fits their philan- will have,” he said. “They should reflect a or deepen a friendship by sharing their volunteer and professional with Jewish thropic goals. That means solicitors genuine interest in the donor … and be Jewish stories, and discuss their visions philanthropic organizations and runs a “need to know the interest of prospective both an expression of your commitment for the Jewish community and how the philanthropy consulting business. Today, donors,” Saginaw said. and their passion.” • ety of special courses, events and presen- – whether for summer camp, BBYO or “We have an excellent director and a Kraft tations on arts and crafts, cooking, gar- attending other clubs with her family on great staff. The center is on an upswing, so Continued from page 1 dening, home photography, music, trav- Sundays. As an adult, the center is where it’s a good time to make a change.” director, after school programming coor- el, current events, Jewish history and she has always come to work out and But just because she’s retiring does- dinator and, for the past 20 years, pro- culture, health and personal improve- play racquetball. n’t mean Kraft won’t remain a presence gramming coordinator for seniors and ment – not to mention regular outings to “The GJCC is like home. When you at the GJCC. She and her husband, adults. Oh, and for almost 19 years she places like an archeological site at walk through the door, you enter a warm Keith, are both Nashville natives with also sold ads for The Jewish Observer of Harpeth River State Park or a perform- and welcoming environment with top- large extended families here. Nashville and helped former editor Judy ance at TPAC. notch programs and activities for every- “I’m definitely not going anywhere,” Saks lay out the newspaper. But senior adults are perhaps the one from birth to 101,” said Kraft. “The Kraft said. “I want to do more art classes. Even during her career as an educator biggest beneficiaries of Kraft’s program- GJCC ties the Jewish community In fact, I want to participate in a lot of – first as a public school art teacher in ming innovations. The Prime Time together and welcomes every faith and the activities we offer at the center. I Nashville and Franklin and then as reli- group for seniors hosts regular dinner every family or individual.” may be retiring, but it’s still my Jewish gious school director at The Temple – programs, parties, overnight trips, casino Kraft said “the time is right” to retire. Community Center.” • Kraft often held a second job at the center. outings and cultural excursions. TGIT – “I grew up at the JCC,” Kraft said, the centerpiece of senior programming at “and I’ve always kept coming back.” the GJCC – is a weekly luncheon where To celebrate her contributions, the 35-40 seniors regularly show up for light Gordon Jewish Community Center has exercise, a blood pressure check, and a designated Thursday, Sept. 24 as Meryl program that can be educational (a pres- Kraft Day. It will include a tribute to entation on how to protect themselves Kraft at the weekly Thank Goodness It’s from fraud, for example) or just fun and Thursday luncheon for seniors – TGIT is entertaining (musician Sheldon Kahan one of her many programming innova- is a favorite). tions – as well as a cocktail reception “Meryl is like the den mother of the from 5-7 p.m. seniors. She does a remarkable job of “Meryl has done a tremendous job taking care of us,” said Joel Mazor, who building an adult program that is truly a recalls that it was Kraft who showed model for other JCC'S nationwide,” said him around the GJCC for the first time Leslie Sax, executive director of the when he moved to Nashville 10 years GJCC.