WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7^th, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) met with Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville CEO Rabbi Dan Horwitz and other leaders of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville to discuss Senator Blackburn’s ironclad support for Israel, how Congress can reinforce the Jewish state in its war against Hamas, and how to assist the Tennessee Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism.

Click here to view the video.

Transcript Below:

“Hi there, I’m here with Rabbi Horwitz. And, we’re hearing from so many of you in Tennessee about fears that children have for going to school or people have for going to places of worship. And we are listening, we are working, we know many of you have relatives that are in Israel, and of course some of them we have been able to get home. Others we are waiting to see when they are going to get out,” said Senator Blackburn.

“Thank you, I’m happy to be here. And I want to say thank you, Senator, for your support for Israel during this challenging time as well as for the Jewish community of Tennessee which also has many Israelis who are part of it and are an essential part of our own state, our economy, and our people. It has been a really trying time for us the past week-and-a-half and knowing we have your support and the support of others here in Washington, that means the world to us,” said Rabbi Dan Horwitz, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville.

• Antisemitic incidents increased 36% in 2022, totaling 3,697, an all-time high.
• Jews are the most targeted religious group in the U.S. according to FBI hate crimes data.
• In 2022, there were twice as many antisemitic incidents in Tennessee compared to the previous year.