Micah Making an Impact
Join us to dance, celebrate, and honor Jewish leadership—Past, Present, and Future.
Celebrate Leadership and Community
The Micah Benefit is our annual fundraising event, and this year, we honor three incredible individuals—Julie Fortune, Deborah Oleshansky, and Hope Stringer—who embody Tikkun Olam through their leadership and contributions. Together, we’ll celebrate the roots, growth, and future of Jewish leadership with cocktails, dinner, and dancing.
Hope Stringer
Hope Stringer was born in Woodbury, TN but moved to Nashville in 1963. After meeting her future, beloved husband, Howard Stringer, Hope and Howard married in 1972. Aside from her very important role as a founding member of Congregation Micah, along with her husband, Howard, Hope has made a life of active immersion and leadership in the world of the arts and leisure in Nashville. Amongst the many organizations to which she has given leadership are the Adventure Science Museum, the Hermitage: Home of Andrew Jackson, Cheekwood, the Symphony Ball, Oz Arts, and most notably, as past-President of the board of the Conservancy for Centennial Park and the Parthenon. Her wonderful daughter Holly and son-in-law, Steve, live in Denver, as do her two grown grandsons, Aaron and Grant.
Deborah Oleshansky
Deborah Oleshansky currently serves as Jewish Community Relations Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. In this role Deborah provides outward facing connections between the Jewish community and the greater community in middle Tennessee, building relationships and networks with other faith, civic, educational and cultural groups in the greater Nashville area. As primary staff for the Jewish Community Relations Committee, Deborah organizes the annual JCRC Social Justice Seder held each spring to celebrate and strengthen these community relationships. Deborah is a lifelong learner and has engaged in meaningful study with gifted teachers over the years including Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, Rabbi Shefa Gold, Rabbi David Cooper, Joseph Beautiful Painted Arrow, Cynthia Bourgeault, and the Dalai Lama. She volunteers with several community organizations and is a board member of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee. Deborah began her career at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC working on policy initiatives and criminal justice reforms to better address the needs of domestic violence and child abuse survivors and continues to be engaged through volunteer support, and work with local groups addressing these needs. Originally from Boston, Deborah still spends time in New England, loves to be near the ocean, enjoys outside activities, and is happiest when cooking for family and friends. She is blessed by three amazing children, two fantastic in-law children, and recently experienced the phenomenal joy of welcoming her first grandchild, Odelia Sasha. Her second grandchild is due in February and she looks forward to welcoming him or her to the family.
Julie Fortune
Julie grew up in Nashville and currently works as the Director of Admission and Enrollment management at Harding Academy. Prior, for nearly eight years, Julie was the Director of Enrollment and Strategic Operations at Akiva School. Before moving back to Nashville, Julie served as the Director of Engagement at Temple Israel, and the Department Chair at Raleigh Egypt High School, both located in Memphis. Julie is a graduate of the University School of Nashville, as well as an undergraduate at The University of Memphis and graduate work at Florida State University. She is a board member at Congregation Micah and on the Executive Committee of the National Council of Jewish Women. Julie is happily married to Tony Jackson and the proud mom of Tovah, Rex, and Axl. She is also the daughter of past Micah board chair, Marjean Coddon.
Become a Patron
Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration and impact.
Support the event at one of our Patron levels or purchase general admission tickets when they become available later this winter.
Patrons:
Roots of Wisdom: $5000 (2 tickets)
Trunks of Strength: $2500 (2 tickets)
Branches of Hope: $1000 (2 tickets)
Flowers of Blessings: $500 (2 tickets)
Leaves of the Future: $250 (1 ticket)
