You’d be forgiven if you thought a book titled Nashville’s Jewish Community sounded about as likely as a volume called Great Shipbuilders of Omaha, but the community in question is much larger and has a much longer history than many people realize. Lee Dorman’s new book — part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series, which focuses on documenting the stories of various communities across the country — goes as far back as the late 18th century, and features chapters on the first Jewish settlers, Jewish-oriented businesses, and the social and cultural history, among other topics. What makes the book work is the wealth of photographs and accompanying brief bios, among them Zadoc Levy (who came to Nashville in 1852 and founded Levy’s clothing store), musician Maurice (Mutt) Blumen (who played on the Grand Ole Opry and toured with Bill Monroe) and Janet Levine March (whose 1996 disappearance and murder shook the city for more than a decade). Dorman is a former editor of the The Jewish Observer, Nashville’s Jewish newspaper.
Sat., April 3, 1 p.m., 2010
Sat., April 3, 1 p.m., 2010
