Jewish Community Partners

Nashville lawmakers from across the aisle forged a new alliance this winter, launching the Tennessee-Israel Caucus to bolster trade, culture, and innovation. Memphis Jewish Federation participated in the historic launch of the bipartisan effort, which signals a commitment to collaboration that transcends political boundaries.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta hosted a state-wide reception at the Capitol in Nashville, where caucus co-chairs State Senator Mark Pody, Memphis’s own State Representative Torrey Harris, and State Representative Scott Cepicky gathered alongside other distinguished guests. Sara First, Federation’s Community Relations Manager, represented Memphis Jewish Federation joining other professionals and lay leaders from Federations in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

The caucus is the brainchild of Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon. It follows other, similar recently established caucuses in Mississippi and Alabama, and is part of Sultan-Dadon’s larger work to strengthen relations between Israel and the seven U.S. states covered by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast. “This partnership is not new,” Sultan-Dadon said. “It has been cultivated over decades. It’s an exciting and significant milestone in the enduring relationship between the state of Tennessee and the state of Israel.”

Memphians in attendance at the launch of the Caucus were pleased to hear from their own Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Shelby County), whose caucus leadership follows a transformative week-long trip to Israel with Rep. Cepicky (R-Maury County) and other southern lawmakers. He shared his shock at the destruction in southern Israel, his hope and optimism for the country’s innovative sector and future partnership opportunities between Tennessee and Israel.

This is a bipartisan effort, Rep. Harris said, an example of politics not “getting in the way of doing actual good work.”

Referring to Jewish Memphians at the event, Rep. Harris said, “I’m so happy to see some of my constituents here, from my district, who this actually matters to, to know that somebody actually cares about their safety, their security, and economic growth.”

As a member of the Transportation Committee, Rep. Harris said he enjoyed learning about popular traffic navigation app Waze and other innovations in Israel that can benefit Memphis. He plans to return to Israel in October.

Rep. Cepicky, who represents a district south of Nashville, underscored the significance of the initiative, stating, “The Tennessee-Israel Caucus will foster an environment of collaboration and create incredible opportunities for the exchange of ideas to improve life for both Tennesseans and Israelis.”

Rep. Cepicky has expressed admiration for Israeli scientific innovation on water use and medical care, and believes the Tennessee-Israel partnership can benefit medical upskilling and technology development for both regions.

Senator Pody (R-Davidson and Wilson Counties) added, “This caucus will be able to strengthen that relationship between Tennessee and Israel. Israel has been one of the absolute strongest allies that Tennessee and our nation has.”

First said the event was inspiring. “It was gratifying to see Tennessee Democrats and Republicans come together to protect the U.S.’s longstanding, mutually positive relationship with Israel. We have so much to learn from one another.”

Sultan-Dadon said in her remarks, “This moment is a reflection of the unique friendship between our states and peoples, a friendship rooted in shared values, mutual interests, and a commitment to realizing the full potential of our relations.”