the Jewish bserver www.jewishobservernashville.org Vol. 81 No. 5 • May 2016 23 Nisan-23 Iyyar 5776 Diverse group finds unity on trip to Israel hey were a diverse group – Reform and modern Orthodox, Conservative and Chabad – from all five of Nashville’s Jewish congregations, plus a few Tout-of-towners. Some were making their first visit to Israel. Others had been there many times before. Though part of a single mission, they often split up on different itineraries – one that included sights and experiences for first-time visitors to Israel, three others focusing on high tech, culture and cuisine; politics and security, and adventure. A few came early for a “deep dive” visit to agencies funded by the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Some opted for a three-day extension that included an opportunity to participate in events marking the 20th anniversary of the Partnership2Gether program. But they also shared special moments Shortly after arriving in Jerusalem, members of the Nashville CommUNITY Trip to Israel were on their way to the Old City when together as a group – Shabbat prayers and they paused to recite the Shehecheyanu, the traditional Jewish prayer celebrating a special event. Afterwards, they posed for a an afternoon at the Shalom Hartman group photo wearing the blue t-shirts made especially for the trip. More photos and stories about the trip are inside on pages 2-4. Center in Jerusalem exploring the issue of Jewish diversity. And by the end of fabulous,” said Diane Kimbrough. “We Kullock of West End Synagogue, Saul It’s impossible, of course, to report their visit to the Jewish homeland, the 83 were not five congregations, we were one.” Strosberg of Congregation Sherith Israel comprehensively about a trip with so participants in Nashville’s CommUNITY The trip, the Federation’s biggest and Yitzchok Tiechtel of Congregation many participants who had so many Trip to Israel were just that – a unified ever, was organized by Naomi Limor Beit Tefilah Chabad, and Lisa Silver, the experiences. But pages 2 through 4 are whole, not just in name but also in spirit. Sedek, its campaign and missions direc- cantorial soloist at Congregation Micah. filled with comments, descriptions and “I did not feel any distance or sepa- tor. It was headed by leaders from each of The group spent two nights in Haifa, five photos that provide an overview of ration among us but rather a richness, a Nashville’s Jewish congregations: Rabbis in Jerusalem and, for those who opted for their experiences.. connectedness and acceptance that was Mark Schiftan of The Temple, Joshua the extension, three in Tel Aviv. Continued on page 2-4 Playing for Israel May 15 Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration will be “outside” this year in more ways than one publicizing the celebration in local news- By CHARLES BERNSEN What: Free community event papers and also has invited a choral group remembering Israel’s fallen ewish Nashville’s community- representing the Baha’i faith to perform. and celebrating Israel’s birth wide celebration of Israel’s “Everyone in the larger communi- Independence Day is taking it When: 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Sunday ty has always been welcomed, but we outside this year – literally and May 15 just want to make it obvious and eas- figuratively. Where: Red Caboose Park, 684 ier for them to take part,” said Liron The celebration of Yom Colice Jeanne Road, Bellevue Finkelstein, community shlicha (Israel J Ha’atzmaut, sponsored each year Contact: Liron Finkelstein at emissary), the Federation staff member by the Jewish Federation of [email protected] working with a volunteer committee to Nashville and Middle Tennessee in organize the event. conjunction with the Gordon Jewish previous years.) Another benefit of moving outdoors, Community Center, will be from 3:30 Aside from moving into a public Finkelstein said, is that the event will “I’m soaking up every minute of p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 15, and for the park, the event is heading outside in a take on “a festival feel” with live music, it,” said Franklin Pargh, who got a chance to resurrect his lacrosse first time it will take place outdoors at different sense as the Federation makes vendors selling kosher Israeli and Jewish career last month by playing for the the Red Caboose Park in Bellevue. (Of a concerted effort to reach beyond the food, an Israeli jewelry booth, stands pro- Israeli national team in an inter- course, this is spring in Nashville. If Jewish community to involve the larger viding information about various local national competition in the Czech there’s rain, the event will be inside at Nashville community in marking the Jewish organizations and institutions, Republic. Read the full story on page the GJCC, where it has been held in 12. (Photos courtesy of Israel Lacrosse) birth of the Jewish state. To that end, it is Continued on page 5 A Publication of the Fourth Libby Werthan Health & installment of begins a Beauty issue Jewish Nashville: new column, page 13 By the Numbers Life in Israel page 10 page 19 Health & WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG Beauty Nashville’s CommUNITY Trip to Israel Mark Cohen (left) and Robin Cohen (right) enjoy a Shabbat dinner at the home of Israelis Dorit and Yonkele Zini before heading to an “Israeli style” Purim celebration.” Lisa Silver (from left), Diane Kimbrough and Christie and Titus Wiemers dining at Darna, a Moroccan restaurant. “The food was off the charts delicious,” Kimbrough Celebrating Purim Israeli style said. “And I made it my mission to try as many different things as I possibly could.” small group from the Nashville become a Federation board member mission arrived in Israel sever- next month; Carol Hyatt and Fred “We were one” al days early for interviews Zimmerman, Federation president iane Kimbrough was on the sented such a wide spectrum of Jewish A and discussions with Israeli and board member respectively, and first-timers track and offers Nashville. “Traveling with people from officials from agencies and organiza- Harriet Schiftan, Federation planning this advice to anyone who has all of Nashville’s Jewish congregations, tions funded by the Federation, most and P2G director. never been to Israel: “If some- I did not feel any distance or separa- of them in Hadrea-Eiron, Nashville’s “The deep-dive visit was one of the D Partnership2Gether region. highlights of the trip for me,” Robin said. one tells you, ‘You have to go to Israel; tion among us but rather a richness, a it’s the most amazing place,” believe connectedness and acceptance that was Those taking part in this “deep But it wasn’t all work. The group also them and go.” fabulous,” she said. “We were not five dive visit” were Robin Cohen and attended a Purim party at the home of Having traveled to 18 different coun- congregations, we were one.’ Ben Russ, co-chairs of the Federation’s Doron Rubin, head of the Israeli steering tries, Kimbrough said, “Nothing compares In addition to the food, Kimbrough Grants Committee, Robin’s husband committee for the Partnership2Gether to this recent experience in Israel… It is said her favorite part of the trip was Mark Cohen, who is expected to program. • a spectacular blend of things that touch the “energy” surrounding Shabbat in mind, body and spirit – from unbelievable Jerusalem – “the crazy fervor of antici- historical sights that bring the story of the pation and preparation in the markets Jewish people to life to the highest devel- and on the streets, contrasted with the opments in technology.” peace and quiet of Saturday and then What made the trip special, she seeing the city come to life again after said, was going with a group that repre- havdallah.” • Reunited with the man who saved her daughter ot everyone on the trip was from Nashville. Elise Gould, who teaches school in a sub- Nurb of Chicago, was attend- ing the bat mitzvah of her cousin’s niece at Congregation Micah when she heard a presentation about the upcoming trip from Rabbi Laurie Rice. The only other time she had been to Israel was in 2002 when her daughter, Shayna, was gravely wounded in a ter- ror attack in Jerusalem and spent weeks Erin Coleman looks at the work of one of the kids at Maksam, an after school program recovering in an Israeli hospital. It was in Hadera for immigrant Ethiopian children. The Nashville Federation helps fund the hardly a pleasant experience. program. “This sounded like a great oppor- tunity to make my first real visit as a Elise Gould was reunited with Shai She “grabbed my heart” tourist,” said Gould. Shapiro (center), the paramedic who After learning that she would be ran into gunfire to save her daughter 14 rin Coleman had been to Israel One of her most memorable expe- years ago. Tour guide Eldad Brin (left) welcomed on the trip, Gould and three before, but this was her first trip riences was touring Maksam, an after friends signed up. helped arrange the get together on the last evening of the trip. since becoming a mother, which school program in Hadera that serves “It was absolutely wonderful,” said made it more emotional. immigrant Ethiopian children. The pro- Gould, who was impressed by the diver- daughter and, along with two colleagues, E And as one of two young leaders gram, which the Jewish Federation of sity and camaraderie of the Nashville rushed to rescue her despite ongoing gun- whose participation on the mission was Nashville helps fund, assists kids who contingent. “I have never seen a Jewish fire.