Make a Donation
Life & LegacyTM
Make a promise for the future.
Including Jewish Family Service in your estate plans enables you to support programs and services that are most important to you and to leave a lasting legacy–all while retaining control of your assets during your lifetime.
The Life & LegacyTM
Shared Commitment
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Jewish Family Service is one of thirteen community partners participating in Nashville’s transformational LIFE & LEGACY™ program. LIFE & LEGACY™ is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee that promotes after-lifetime giving to benefit the entire Nashville Jewish community.
The program represents a shared commitment by local agencies and congregations to work together to secure a more vibrant Jewish future. The program is founded on the principle that all of us, regardless of age, wealth or affiliation can make an enduring impact.
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Get Started
The simplest methods of leaving a legacy are through a will or estate plan or by adding or changing a beneficiary designation on a retirement fund or life insurance policy. Your legacy commitment can be a percentage or a specific dollar amount.
To start the conversation about joining the Legacy Society members who have already made a commitment, please contact Pam Kelner, Executive Director, at (615) 354-1644 or pgkelner@jfsnashville.org or JFS Life and Legacy Team Leader Sandra Hecklin at (615) 356-3473.
Or, if you have already made a legacy provision in your estate plan or intend to do so, please download and submit the letter of intent.
JFS Legacy Society Members are people like you, who want to:
Enable JFS to meet the challenge of changing social and economic conditions that constantly create new needs and that demand new and innovative responses, just as we have for the past 168 years.
Ensure that when community members are in need or in crisis, they will always be able to turn to JFS for support and guidance.
Stand up and be counted as part of your community’s collective effort to create a more just world for your generation and for those to come.
Your participation in the community-wide LIFE & LEGACYTM program does not require a cash donation today. It is simply a promise for the future.
Our Generous
Legacy Society Members
JFS thanks you for your commitment to ensuring that we will be around for another 168+ years serving the ever-changing social and economic needs of the community! Since launching Life and Legacy, the people below have signed a letter of intent indicating they will leave an after-lifetime gift to Jewish Family Service.
Listing as of 6/15/2023
Theresa and Kevin Alexandroni
Felicia and Ken Anchor
Larry Averbuch
Richard Barnett
Lynn and David Barton
Didi and Brian Biesman
Jamie and Jeremy Brook
Starlet Burney
Robin and Mark Cohen
Terri Z. Cohen
Renette (z”l) and Abe (z”l) Corenswett
Mary Cornelius and Elaine Taubin
Erin Coleman
Melissa and Norman Davis
Karen Dotter
Jill and Dan Eisenstein
Annette Eskind
Andrea and Kevin Falik
Nancy Flexer
Lisa and Rick Forberg
Nili Friedman
Harris A. Gilbert z’l
Natalie Glazer
Cindee and Michael Gold
Bernie Goldstein z’l
Bernice and Joel z’l Gordon
Robert Gordon
Reta Guttman z’l
Heidi and John Hassenfeld
Rachel Hauber
Sandra and Steve Hecklin
David Heller
Reva and Gene z’l Heller
Toni and Dick Heller
Rae and Bruce Hirsch
Melanie and Doug Hirt
Mary Loventhal Jones
Jackie Karr
Pam and Shaul Kelner
Leslie and Howard Kirshner
Ruth Klar
Glenda and Lee Kraft
Roslyn Landa
Valerie and Adam Landa
Leslye and Steve Lapidus
Jan Liff
Diana z’l and Shelly Lutz
Patty and Jimmy Marks
Bonnie and Robert Miller
LaQuita Martin and Richard Orland
Suzy and Stewart Perlman
Elaine z’l and Frank z’l Parker
Daniella Pressner and Rabbi Saul Strosberg
Edria and David Ragosin
Marsha Raimi
Esther and Steven Remer
Evan Rittenberg
Marissa and Ben Russ
Arlene and Howard Safer
Stan and Marco Fernandez-Schklar
Suzanne and Jimmy Schulman
Goldie and Mark Shepard
Lisa and Mike Shmerling
Elise Small
Nan Speller
David Steine Jr.
Cindy Stone and Mark Glazer
Laura Thompson and Yuri Livshitz
Alyssa Trachtman
Michelle Trachtman
Katie and Adam Wayne
Karen and Howie Weil
Erin and Greg Zagnoev
Anonymous (5)
* names noted in blue have formalized their gift
Our comprehensive social services and programs are designed to enrich the whole person, enhance the whole family, and empower the whole community–no matter your age, race, religion, preference, identity, economic standing, or otherwise.
Life can be challenging, relationships can be hard, and you may need the extra support that comes with working with a therapist. Our licensed social workers offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as for children and adolescents.
Choosing to adopt a child, or to place a child for adoption, is a life-altering decision. We are a licensed child-placing agency in Tennessee with more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.
Older Adult Programs & Services
We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs and services are an important outlet for our older adults, encouraging them to be social and stimulated.
Life can be challenging, and knowledge is power. The Jewish Family Service’s Family and Community Enrichment programs serve to empower, protect, and address the ever-changing needs of the entire Nashville community.
Passionate providers of comprehensive social services, we are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages.
We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.
A group of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who come together to help Jewish Family Service fulfill its mission and expand its reach.
We serve the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in many different ways. Here are a few of the human stories where JFS programs have made a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.
We’ve compiled a selection of items that we use frequently at JFS – in some cases every day.
The number of ways in which you can help support individuals and families navigate life’s transitions are endless.
Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our clients. Find opportunities to assist those in our community who need a helping hand.
Since our founding in 1853, the generous support of our community has made the work of Jewish Family Service possible.
Press coverage about JFS Nashville’s programing and services, learn about the history of the agency from our past newsletters, and enjoy reading original JFS content like our signature advice column, “Dear Esther.” Stay up to date with the impact we’re making throughout our community.
Check out the full calendar of upcoming JFS Nashville events. From community education, support groups, and special engagements alike, find out where you can show up and get connected.
Information & Referral Resources
Connect with our community partners. Our information and referral directory includes local and national resources that can provide additional support for addiction, mental health, and more.
Mental Health Matters is a JFS series that was designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues by providing education, increasing awareness, and inclusivity. Check out our ongoing resources and past programming.
Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.
How can we help? Send us a message, give us a call, or find us on social media. We usually respond within 1-2 business days.
