the Jewish bserver www.jewishobservernashville.org Vol. 86 No. 4 • April 2021 19 Nisan - 18 Iyyar 5781 Federation Grant Provides Aid to Families at Jewish Montessori Preschool By BARBARA DAB Rabbi Teichtel, “It was only two to three days from the time I made the request he Revere Jewish Montessori until I received the grant. TPreschool has received a grant The families receiving the from The Jewish Federation and Jewish scholarships have faced financial Foundation of Nashville and Middle hardships as a direct result of the Tennessee to provide scholarships to pandemic, and Eric Stillman says children whose families have been affect- continuing to meet the educational ed by the continuing pandemic. The needs of the community’s children is a $5,600 grant comes from the Federation’s top priority. He says, “Working with the COVID Emergency Response Fund and Revere Montessori Preschool of Chabad will enable seven families to continue of Nashville, the Federation is assisting sending their children to the school. families so that the children can receive Rabbi Yitchok Teichtel, of Chabad, says a Jewish early childhood education even he is grateful for the Federation’s support. when their parents have lost jobs, closed “We’re trying our best to help people businesses, or had reduced income/hours during this difficult time, and It means at work.” Esther Teichtel, the Head a lot when the Federation invests in our of School, says the scholarships have local community.” And Eric Stillman, been a real safety net for the families. CEO of The Jewish Federation, says he is “COVID really upended our world. pleased to be able to offer much needed Children participate in class at Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool Thanks to the scholarships, the children assistance. ““It is very important for the viduals and families suffering from the has been the focus on responding to the have maintained a sense of normalcy and Federation to work collaboratively with economic impact of the pandemic.” A immediate need. “I was very impressed equilibrium.” She says developmentally, our community partners to help indi- key component of the emergency grants with the quick turnaround time,” says Continued on page 7 Pandemic Connections: A Look at How We’re Doing By BARBARA DAB services or adult education programming. “About six months into the pandemic he calendar says it is April 2021, people were socially isolating and some Tbut for many it still feels like March unintended consequences were setting 2020. Just as in the film, “Groundhog in: fear, uncertainty and missing contact Day,” each day can feel like waking up with friends and family,” she says. So stuck in a vicious cycle of Zoom meet- each Sunday evening, the group of ings, hand washing, quick trips to the 25-30 people join the Zoom and, as grocery store and lots and lots of tele- Harriet says, “let their hair down.” She vision. Searching for connection, folks stresses this is not group therapy, and yet have turned to new technology as a way the experience goes a long way toward to combat the loneliness, fear and anx- helping people combat the loneliness iety that comes with being socially dis- and anxiety of the pandemic. “This is tant. In Nashville’s Jewish community, not an easy time,” she says, “We have congregations and agencies have created people who have been alone for a year. unique programming to help the pan- But through this group we’ve come to demic weary cope. From virtual support know amazing, intimate things about sessions to educational programming and each other because we’re not putting on virtual minyans, leaders and professionals our happy faces.” have worked to keep mind and spirit Congregants at West End Synagogue have been participating in virtual evening Minyan during the Pandemic During the pandemic there has been intact. The programming is something ongoing concern for the community’s even mental health professionals say goes It’s not the same as being face to face and Connect,” group. The 30-minute seniors, many of whom suffer the most a long way toward helping people man- having opportunities for hugs but you can sessions are unstructured opportunities from the social isolation. Lack of mobility, age. Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director connect emotionally and intellectually.” for congregants to meet and check in fixed income and medical vulnerability of Jewish Family Service, says, “Virtual At The Temple, Harriet Schiftan, about their week. Harriet says the group are just a few of the challenges they program opportunities help to break the MSW, President and CEO of Gilda’s was created several months ago for those face. And when regular activities, such isolation many people might experience. Club, has facilitated a weekly, “Let’s who were not finding what they needed in Continued on page 8 A Publication of the Gordon JCC: JCRC Seder Home & Our Blends Old and Gardening Community. New Traditions, Special Our Future. page 5 Back To School Section, Making page 15 Progress, page 2 WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG Our Community. Our Future. Making Progress By LESLIE SAX with nearly 50 new units installed. We look forward to more balanced comfort ince we announced the Our and lower utility bills with our increased SCommunity. Our Future. Capital efficiencies. We also have begun work on Campaign, we have been thrilled by the our parking lot; replacing broken curbs, community’s response. So many people making repairs, relining the lanes, and are excited to think about the Lodge adding better directional markings. they remember being replaced, our current Currently, we are gearing up for campers are anticipating something new our Locker Room renovation, which at Camp Davis, and others are happy that is planned to take place this summer we are making necessary improvements. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Based on our early success, our Capital A while ago, we surveyed our members Campaign co-chairs, Billy Eskind, Frank to ask specifically what they would like Gordon, and Howard Safer have raised to see in new locker rooms. We’re excited our goal to $6.5 M. Construction costs in to share our plans that address many Nashville continue to rise and we want concerns. The Women’s Locker Room to be able to complete all the planned will now have a direct entrance to the projects. We are also confident that the pool natatorium and will have a suit entire community will contribute to help spinner for drying swimsuits. We are also us reach our goal and reinvigorate the JCC adding privacy for dressing, and additional to be the fresh, welcoming living room of ADA showers. The Men’s Locker Room Rendering of the planned updated locker rooms at the Gordon JCC the community that we know it can be. will offer an expanded TV lounge area, provide a separate space for families much needed comfort and a little bit of Fortunately, our early campaign more privacy for changing, and improved with small children, older adults who luxury to our community. We are excited pledge payments have allowed us to begin ventilation. Both Locker Rooms will be might need assistance, or others needing to continue to share our progress as we our projects. We have installed over completely renovated with new layout, more privacy to change without the move forward! 58,000 square feet of new roof membrane new lockers, and new flooring. We are distraction of, and or disruption to other For more information on these and and are excited to weather any coming eliminating the Boys and Girls areas to members. The Family Changing Rooms other projects, or to contribute, please storms without leaks. The new HVAC and expand the locker rooms, and adding will include a restroom and shower visit our website. www.nashvillejcc.org/ climate control system is almost complete two Family Changing Rooms, which will These projects and more will bring ourcommunityourfuture • Perspectives The Post-Covid Congregation: One Rabbi’s Vision By RABBI MARK SCHIFTAN, THE TEMPLE who prefer the access via virtual routes comfort of our homes. It is a tremendous for generations, in exchange for the direct and options. I believe we can serve both new opportunity to reinvigorate the life service they had come to expect in return. he congregation of the future is here: and serve them well. The numbers who blood of our religious institutions. Those days are basically over and exist TWe are on the eve of a new, golden participate will increase, perhaps even 6) Our next immediate, perhaps solely in the rear view mirror. This has age of the synagogue, massive in scope increase dramatically. even urgent hires should be Information already occurred over the past year. Best of potential, positive change, not only 3) Religious Services will continue Technologists, Software Specialists, and practices continue to begin organically, resilient in strength but in its accrual of to grow in attendance, though that Social Media Marketing professionals. close to home. Congregations have been, newfound energy, creativity, innovation attendance may be measured in total These individuals will be the next and will mostly continue to be, left on and inclusion. viewership and engagement, both vital positions that synagogues will their own to find the best ways forward. We have the ability, despite in-person and in virtual attendance. In demand, deserve and require, as will the 9) Of course these changes, consistent and continuing challenges our congregation, the virtual numbers congregants they serve. Unfortunately, evolutions and transformations will regarding its alleged imminent decline, over this past year of isolation and there already is a wide disparity between require a bold degree of both vision and to enter a period of transformational quarantine, have been consistently equal larger and smaller congregations regarding courage.