Projects

The Nashville Section of NCJW has a long history of service to the community of Nashville. Projects developed by the Section have become a part of the lives of many of the citizens of our city. The funding for all Section projects is achieved through dues payments by supporting members, Ways and Means contributions, gifts from private philanthropic foundations, corporate grants and bequests by our members naming the Section as a beneficiary in their wills. Current Section projects include:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
CASA is designed to keep children from becoming lost in the foster care system. Volunteers are lay guardians ad litem appointed by the juvenile judge to monitor the court ordered placement of dependent and neglected children. The project was established in 1983 by the Nashville Section in coalition with the Junior League of Nashville.

Gilda’s Club of Middle Tennessee
Gilda’s Club supports individuals dealing with cancer and their families. This project supports the youth and family component of their evidence-based cancer support program, including support groups and social opportunities for children and teens who have a loved one living with cancer.

Kosher Food Box
The Kosher Food Box is sponsored by Jewish Family Service (JFS). It is a monthly kosher food box for Jewish families in need. NCJW members are asked to volunteer by purchasing the food and packing the boxes for those in need to pick up at the JFS office.

Passover Kosher Food Boxes
The Passover Kosher Food Box is sponsored by Jewish Family Service (JFS) allowing families in need who are already utilizing the Kosher Food Box program to have a specific box for Passover. NCJW sponsors an event prior to Passover, allowing members to purchase food and assist in packing boxes for those in need.

REACH for Survivorship at Vanderbilt
The chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery used to treat cancer patients often cause physical, neurocognitive, and/or emotional late effects, especially in children. In 2006, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center developed a groundbreaking Childhood Cancer Survivorship Pilot Program and NCJW initially provided the seed money to launch this program with a bequest from former president and dear friend Dianne Gilbert. The program grew, was renamed REACH (Research Education, Advocacy, Care, Health) for Survivorship, and now serves adults as well as children. NCJW continues to support this vital program with resources and volunteer opportunities at the REACH clinic and in the community. This unique program focuses on survivors who have overcome great challenges and are now creating meaningful lives filled with hope for the future.

Renewal House
Renewal House is a rehabilitative home for mothers who are recovering from drug addiction, and their children. Our volunteers assist in stocking the children’s library and playroom and in providing activities for the resident children.

Scholarship Loan
For over fifty years, this project has offered interest-free loans to exceptional students who otherwise would not have been able to complete their education. The project receives its funding from contributions made to the Scholarship Fund and repayments of loans by past recipients. The loans are granted and administered through the Scholarship Loan Committee and are offered to qualified applicants as a loan of last resort. The application is open early February through mid-March and can be accessed here.

Senior Friends
NCJW and Jewish Family Service of Nashville and Middle Tennessee have formed a partnership to reach out to senior citizens in the Nashville Jewish community. NCJW members purchase, assemble, and deliver traditional holiday items to seniors at Rosh Hashanah. NCJW members visit more than 60 seniors who live in independent living facilities, nursing homes, and in their own homes, with JFS serving as the liaison.

Snack Box Program
Since 1990, NCJW has provided hot and cold snacks to children attending the Child Sexual Abuse Clinic, “OUR KIDS.” Distribution is made by the social worker at the clinic.

Vanderbilt Hillel Shabbat Dinners
Each Shabbat on Vanderbilt’s campus begins with a gathering of students for prayer at The Ben Schulman Center. Students experience prayer traditions from different Jewish movements, share in music from traditional and creative backgrounds, and learn from a d’var Torah prepared by various students. The Shabbat mood continues as students enjoy a Kosher vegetarian Shabbat dinner sponsored by NCJW and catered by Goldie Shepard. This project enables students to break bread together with their community, welcome new students, and delight in the company of old friends.