FTIC to Host Nashville–Israel Health Summit

The Friends of the Tennessee–Israel Caucus will host the inaugural Nashville–Israel Health Summit on September 17, 2026, bringing together Israeli healthcare startups with Nashville’s healthcare executives, investors, innovators, and commercialization partners.

The invitation-only Summit will feature startup presentations, panel discussions, curated introductions, and meaningful conversations focused on helping promising Israeli healthcare innovations enter and grow in the U.S. market. The event reflects FTIC’s commitment to strengthening the Tennessee–Israel relationship through business, healthcare, and innovation.

Learn more or request an invitation at www.Nashville-Israel.health.

A Tennessee Senate joint resolution honors the extraordinary courage of Knoxville native Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, who risked his life as a prisoner of war to protect more than 200 Jewish-American soldiers from the Nazis. When ordered to identify the Jewish prisoners under his command, Edmonds instead directed all 1,200 Americans to stand together and boldly declared, “We are all Jews here.” His moral courage saved lives and ultimately earned him recognition as Righteous Among the Nations and, posthumously, the Medal of Honor.

Building Bridges Between Tennessee and Israel at the State Capitol

On March 10, 2026, the Friends of the Tennessee–Israel Caucus joined the Tennessee Forum for Jewish Issues and the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville for A Day on the Hill, a nonpartisan day of advocacy at the Tennessee State Capitol.

Community members met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to discuss combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish community security, and supporting Tennessee’s longstanding partnership with Israel. By building relationships with elected officials and encouraging constructive civic engagement, the event helped strengthen the bridges connecting Tennessee, its Jewish community, and Israel.

The FTIC hosted a reception welcoming Consul General Weiss and supporting the TN–IL Caucus, a bipartisan initiative strengthening Tennessee–Israel collaboration in trade, education, and innovation.

IWI US, Inc., a firearms manufacturer, announced plans to relocate its headquarters and all major operations from Pennsylvania to Andersonville in East Tennessee, investing about $15.7 million and creating 72 new jobs. The move is intended to boost the company’s manufacturing capacity and product development while positioning it closer to its national customer base, and Tennessee officials highlighted it as a win for the state’s business climate and workforce.

Alyssa Rosenheck — It was an honor to celebrate @robertshwartzman alongside the Tennessee-Israel Caucus this afternoon. Robert is more than the first Israeli IndyCar driver - he is a living symbol of focus, resilience, determination, and hope, taking the track tomorrow with the same courage and discipline that define true dedication. The Tennessee–Israel Caucus represents the same kind of vision and action.

In an historic bipartisan move, the Tennessee Legislature last month agreed to create a Tennessee/Israel caucus designed to strengthen and further build upon their relationship. State representative Scott Cepicky (TN-District 64), one of the sponsors of the caucus bill welcomed the move and said the move was a big step forward for the state, “We will be able to do great things for the state of Tennessee and the people of Israel. This caucus will allow leaders more than 6,000 miles apart to strengthen political ties and promote economic growth through bilateral trade and investment opportunities that will help foster an environment of educational collaboration and cultural understanding.” 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, today announced the creation of the Tennessee-Israel Caucus in the Tennessee General Assembly.

The Tennessee-Israel Caucus will work to strengthen political ties between the state of Tennessee and the state of Israel through bilateral trade, educational collaboration and enhanced cultural understanding.

“Israel has been a great friend and ally to the United States and it’s important that we continue furthering our relationship,” Cepicky said. “The Tennessee-Israel Caucus will foster an environment of collaboration and allow for an incredible exchange of ideas to make life better for Tennesseans and Israelis. I look forward to this partnership strengthening our political ties while promoting progress and prosperity.”

The bipartisan caucus will help further collaboration between Tennessee and Israel by building on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to innovation and progress.