Allie Bernstein, '27
On February 5th, four panelists visited Ensworth and participated in civil discourse in front of many Ensworth students, parents, and teachers. Dr. Mark McEntire, Dr. Thomas Schwartz, Dr. Shaul Kelner, and Dr. Ossama Bahloul discussed the complex history of the Middle East coupled with the October 7th attack, doing a marvelous job of not only educating the (approximately) 150 attendants, but also demonstrating how to handle such difficult conversations. This Middle East panel was educationally imperative, as demonstrated by Ensworth’s support to the Jewish community. These historians bounced off one another, vocalizing critical points that even those in the audience who felt well-versed in the history of the Middle East before were illuminated by. Many attendants left the panel with information they had never even contemplated before, and considerably more educated.
Only twelve days after this panel took place, over two dozen neo-nazis marched through downtown Nashville. On February 17th, former Marine Christopher Polhaus led the white supremacist membership organization called “Blood Tribe” through Nashville, wearing red shirts and black masks, while carrying swastika flags. In broad daylight, these individuals repeatedly raised their hands into the nazi salute. They chanted "Sieg Heil", and called for deportations. This indisputable anti-semitism disgusted not only Nashville citizens and state representatives, but also the Jewish community as a whole. February 17th was just another example of the revolting anti-semitism that is ever present in the United States, especially within the South.
Now, more than ever, the Jewish community at Ensworth needs support and recognition. Three Ensworth mothers took the initiative to accomplish this. Stephanie Korn, Joy Cox, and Shanna Belott decided to organize the Middle East panel. These women understood the importance of creating a discussion in an educational and engaging environment, and determinedly worked to organize the event and make it come to fruition. These leaders in the Ensworth community stepped up, exhibiting what it looks like to truly take action. Ensworth, as a secular school, has a responsibility to reach out and support all of their minority communities. Ensworth is not only supposed to teach their students right from wrong, but also exemplify how our community can take steps to diminish the anti-semitic tone that is ever present today in America. Students are taught the importance of the Harkness method, and the Middle East Panel was a phenomenal way to show the use of Harkness in the real world.
One of the concluding thoughts that came from Dr. Thomas Schwartz during the discussion was the idea that this particular conflict will not last forever. There has never been a war that has not ended, and this violent fight that is ongoing in the Middle East will eventually follow suit. In the meantime, the Enworth community can continue to encourage an open dialogue, assist leaders who take initiative, and preach the importance of staying educated and up to date on recent events. The most valuable way the Ensworth community can be completely supportive to their minority communities is to consistently reach out and recognize them, as well as bringing them to the table when it comes to difficult discussions.
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