Jewish Community In Tennessee Responds To Events In Israel

Image Credit: Ted Eytan / CC

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

On Monday, an event organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville saw hundreds of Jewish and non-Jewish Tennesseans gather in support of Israel. Approximately 700 people, mostly from Davidson County, met at the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Nashville to mourn recent events in Israel and to pray.

Governor Bill Lee, whose office has reached out to all synagogues in the state to pledge support, was in attendance, along with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, members of the Tennessee General Assembly and many Metro Nashville councilmembers.

Law enforcement was noticeably present with uniformed officers both inside and outside the building.

Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake stated on Monday that MNPD is in contact with leaders of Jewish institutions in Nashville and is working with them to offer support and guidance.

Meanwhile in Knoxville, a private security firm is beefing up the security it provides to several synagogues as well as the Jewish Day School in light of the present conflict between Hamas and Israel. The veteran owned company Blue Lion Tactical Solutions, LLC is made up of retired FBI agents from the agency’s Firearms and Tactical Training Program, SWAT, and the elite Hostage Rescue Team at Quantico. 

The firm’s founder, Scott Johnson, has said that what happens overseas can affect Jewish Americans. A former FBI special agent, Johnson worked in the terrorism task force for several years.

Jewish communities all across the United States are on high alert after the Middle East Media Research Institute reported that Hamas is calling on all Muslims on Friday 13th, October 2023 to “answer the call, muster all your energies, and mobilize in numbers, both light and heavy, to support Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, and the jihad waging Gaza.”

In their call for jihad, Hamas said, “We call upon the free people of the world to mobilize in solidarity with our Palestinian people…”

On Monday, Lee told those in attendance at the Jewish Community Center, that while Israel may be the object of persecution once more, “we will see once again the steadfast resolve of the people of this state and this nation to stand alongside the Jewish people and the nation of Israel.”

The Tennessee State Capitol will continue to fly flags at half-staff through Friday for the Israeli and American lives who have been lost during the brutal attack committed by Hamas.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.