Dear Gordon JCC Members and Friends,

As you may be aware, in July of 2024, a virulently antisemitic hate group, the “Goyim Defense League” (GDL), targeted Nashville for 10 days, marauding through downtown waving swastika flags, screaming antisemitic slogans and slurs, “protesting” Jewish people outside our homes and synagogues, and littering the community with antisemitic flyers. In January of 2025, a white supremacist affiliated with the GDL and other neo-Nazi actors came back to Nashville and targeted the JCC. He disguised himself as an Orthodox Jewish man and entered the JCC campus. While on the JCC’s campus, the man, who was filming the interaction and livestreaming it to other neo-Nazis, refused to leave when told to do so, instead attempting to enter further into the building. Fortunately, our security personnel arrived and ushered him off the property. The Nashville DA successfully brought criminal charges against him. We are grateful for the swift and decisive actions of the Metro Nashville Police Department as well as the ongoing support from Mayor O’Connell and others throughout local, state, and federal law enforcement in responding to the incident.

Although the individual who attempted to enter the JCC was convicted, the board of directors of the JCC has made an important decision to also pursue civil claims against both the individual who entered the JCC, as well as the GDL and the neo-Nazi leaders who coordinated and encouraged the act of trespass and intimidation.

This decision is among the most heavily analyzed and scrutinized board actions in recent memory. After months of discussion, deliberation, and consideration, we determined that we cannot let neo-Nazi activity go unchecked. We took this measure for several critical reasons, among them:

• We believe strongly that we must draw a firm line in the sand and demonstrate that we will not put up with intimidation, harassment, and threats in our community. To deter those who traffic in antisemitism and promulgate hate, there must be serious consequences. Our principal concern, as always, is the well-being of our members, and we believe that this action is necessary to make our community safer over the long term.
• We need to set an example for our children that standing up against prejudice is important, and we all should do everything we can to ensure that our community is safe and welcoming to all.
• The Gordon JCC serves as an important community for our members, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Taking legal actions against individuals whose sole occupation is sowing division and hatred serves to position our JCC as a central place for sharing ideas and values, and to building understanding.

The Gordon JCC takes security incredibly seriously and is resolved that all members feel safe–and are safe–using our facilities. To that end, the JCC continues to improve security measures and, among other things, has recently updated security equipment and personnel. As always, our team is not merely reactive; many proactive security measures occur “behind-the-scenes” to secure our campus.

If you have any questions about this legal action or our ongoing efforts to keep the Gordon JCC safe and thriving, please reach out. In the meantime, as you continue to enjoy the spaces and programs that are the fruits of our staff’s dedicated efforts, please know that the board of directors is always working to continue to build a campus and a greater community of which we can all be proud.

Sincerely,

Board of the Gordon Jewish Community Center