KNOXVILLE JEWISH ALLIANCE

About Us

Our History

Coming together to serve the Greater Knoxville Jewish Community

The Knoxville Jewish Alliance is a single organization that oversees both the Arnstein Jewish Community Center and our local Jewish Federations of North America affiliate. The Knoxville Jewish Alliance serves to promote a better world. We provide assistance for those in need, enhance community relations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and serve the Jewish community in the Greater Knoxville area, in Tennessee, and throughout the world.

We serve our local Jewish community through a variety of events and programs including classes, cultural programs, opportunities for charitable work, social groups, and holiday celebrations. Our programs for children and families includes a preschool, summer day camp, and youth organizations. Through Jewish Family Services, we provide a variety of resources to support individuals and families.  Our 25,000 square foot facility on 13 acres in West Knoxville houses the Allen Rosen Aquatic Center with tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and a fenced baby pool; a gymnasium, meeting rooms, preschool classrooms, a stage, archives and offices. The AJCC facility is home to our local BBYO, Hadassah, Greater Knoxville Jewish Men's Club, and the Knoxville Jewish Community Family of Funds. The Knoxville Jewish Alliance supports Israel and teaches our community about Israeli culture, art, history and society through different events, programs and initiatives. 

 

Our Mission

A Welcoming & Dynamic Space for Jewish Community LIfe

The mission of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) is to serve the Jewish people locally, in Israel, and throughout the world.  Through coordinated fundraising, community-wide programming, social services, educational, and other activities, the KJA seeks to:

  • Build community;
  • Provide assistance for those in need;
  • Promote Jewish culture and identity;
  • Develop effective Jewish leaders;
  • Enhance community relations locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally;
  • Operate and maintain the Arnstein Jewish Community Center (AJCC).

Our Team

Meet our Knoxville Jewish Alliance Staff

Contacting a KJA staff member is an easy way to get connected with the Knoxville Jewish Community. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or ideas!

Louise Lindsay

Chief Planning & Operations Specialist

[email protected]

Tara Bain

Director of Community Engagement &
Director of Hillel at UTK

[email protected]

Erin Gaines 

Early Childhood Director, Preschool at AJCC

[email protected]

Anna Iroff-Bailey

Director of Judaica & Preschool Family Engagement
PJ  LIbrary Professional

[email protected]

Nora Sweat 

Director of Jewish Family Services

[email protected]

Andrea Martindale 

Office Administrator

[email protected]

Ed Hunter 

Director of Finance

[email protected]

Nicki Russler

Archivist

[email protected]

KJA Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

PresidentJudith Rosenberg

President-Elect: vacant

Vice-President Campaign: Eric Mayer

Vice-President Administration: vacant

Vice-President Children & Youthvacant

Vice-President Community EngagementNoa Barak

Vice-President Jewish Community ServicesKaren Ferency

Secretary: Debbie Abrams-Cohen

Treasurer: vacant

Immediate Past President: Bryan Goldberg

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Allocations: Bernard Bendriem

Budget: vacant

Children's Programs: vacant

Communications: vacant

Community Relations Committee: Karen Robinson

Facilities: Chip Rayman

Hillel at UTK: pending

Israel Committee: Marc Forman

JEDIvacant

Jewish Family Services: Nancy Britcher

Long Range Planning: Scott Hahn

Membership & Outreachvacant

Programs: Ilanit Harre 

Young Leadershipvacant

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS

Renee' Hyatt

Kaleigh McVety

 

AUTOMATIC BOARD MEMBERS

Michael Zemel, Advisory Committee Chairman, Chabad of Knoxville

Barbara Mintz, President, Hadassah Knoxville-Oak Ridge

Mark Siegel, Chairman of the Board, Heska Amuna Synagogue

Jim Bogard, President, Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge

Stephen Rosen, President, Knoxville Jewish Community Family of Funds

Gina Di Salvo, President, Knoxville Jewish Day School

Dan McLaughlin, President, Temple Beth El

The Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. will not discriminate against any individual for any reason and will provide services to all citizens in a nondiscriminatory fashion. It is the intent of Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. to fully comply with the provision of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. is committed to a moral, ethical, and legal responsibility to ensure equitable employment practices and the delivery of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. services regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender or political affiliation.

 

Donate

Your gift helps strengthen the Jewish community in Knoxville and around the world. Thank you!