Vandy Hillel is excited to share our Alumni newsletter with you! Scroll to see updates from fellow alumni, and to see what Vanderbilt Hillel has been up to this Fall.
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Rachel Nevett, Class of 2020
Since graduating in 2020, Rachel Nevett has built an impressive early career in the world of human resources. This past November, she began an exciting new role as an HR Business Partner at Blackstone. Before joining Blackstone, Rachel worked in Campus Recruiting at Morgan Stanley and completed an HR Rotational Program at WeWork, gaining a broad foundation across the HR landscape.
When asked what she’s most proud of these days, Rachel jokes that it might be her four face-value Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets or the 31 Broadway shows she’s managed to see in 2025 (so far!)—but her friends and colleagues know her accomplishments run much deeper.
One of her favorite Vanderbilt Hillel memories is helping coordinate the inaugural FYSH Fest in 2018. The program launched with its first cohort of FYSH participants and FYSHcilitators, and Rachel loves seeing how much it has expanded—most recently engaging close to 100 families this past school year. “I am so proud to see all the hard work Ruthie Perlman and I put in grow and grow over time,” she reflects.
Rachel is always excited to reconnect with fellow alumni. Rachel can be reached at: rachel@nevett.net.
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Howard Safer, Class of 1965
Still Making an Impact – 60 Years After Graduation.
For Howard Safer, a 1965 graduate of Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science, life has been filled with meaningful connections, professional excellence, and deep-rooted community service — all anchored by his strong Jewish values and lifelong love for Vanderbilt.
A proud Nashvillian, Howard met his wife Arlene on the steps of the old JCC in Nashville, a moment that began a 60-year journey together. They’ve built a beautiful family — three accomplished daughters (with six degrees between them!), six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren (identical twin girls). Vanderbilt ties run strong in the family: daughter Mindy Hirt earned her MBA from Vanderbilt in 2002, son-in-law Kenneth Hirt is also an A&S graduate (Class of 1995), and brother Don Safer, Class of 1970.
Howard’s professional journey is equally impressive. After earning his MBA from Tulane in 1968, he spent more than 25 years as a CPA and Personal Financial Specialist. For another 25+ years, he’s served as a trusted advisor in the areas of trust and family wealth. Today, he is Vice Chair of Argent Trust, where he previously served as CEO. Howard is also featured on the AICPA podcast “Deeper CPA Financial Planner Connections with Howard Safer”, sharing insights from his remarkable career.
His commitment to the Jewish community has remained a lifelong priority. Howard has held leadership roles including Past President of both the Gordon Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Services. In recognition of his dedication, he received the prestigious CHESED Award in 2022 (watchable on YouTube) and delivered the Yom Kippur address at The Temple Nashville in 2023.
Howard’s relationship with Vanderbilt Hillel has been enduring and heartfelt. From serving on the Board of Directors to supporting numerous Hillel events, he’s watched the Jewish community at Vanderbilt flourish. A favorite memory? Reading The Wall Street Journal’s 2002 front-page story on Vanderbilt’s successful Jewish student recruitment. He’s especially proud to have attended Ben Schulman’s 100th birthday and celebrated Ari Dubin’s 20-year milestone as Executive Director during a lighthearted roast.
As Howard reflects on a life well-lived — rich with love, leadership, and legacy — he continues to find joy in family milestones, community engagement, and staying connected with fellow Vanderbilt alumni.
You can reach Howard at Howard.Safer@gmail.com — he’d love to hear from fellow Commodores.
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| Class of 1965 Visits for Reunion Weekend
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- Vanderbilt Hillel Alumni visited Vanderbilt Hillel during Reunion Weekend for Wine and Cheese, Shabbat Services and Dinner, and our Tailgate before the football game. We enjoy seeing our alumni come back to visit! (Pictured above)
- FYSH Fest, Vanderbilt Hillel’s pre-orientation program for first-year students, kicked off with a Thursday night dinner attended by more than 300 people, featuring remarks from Chancellor Diermeier. Throughout the weekend, students took part in panels, campus tours, and community-building events, culminating in a special Shabbat celebration at Acme Feed & Seed in downtown Nashville. (Pictured above)
- The Sunday Night Dinner program provides students and Jewish community leaders an opportunity to engage with one another over a meal. This semester, 14 students were hosted at five homes throughout the community for Sunday night dinner. Thank you to Rabbis Michael and Lindsay Danziger, Alyssa and Ethan Hassenfeld, John and Heidi Hassenfeld, Daniel and Dalia Cohen, Seth Goldberg and Marc Neuman, and Lynn and Scott Ghertner for hosting our students. (Pictured above)
- Vandy Hillel students put together a team, "The Hillel Hot Shots," and competed this year at the 10th annual Nashville Kosher Hot Chicken Festival and won "Best Mild Chicken.” The trophy is proudly displayed at the front of entrance of the Hillel building. (Pictured above)
- Students gathered together to celebrate Sukkot and the start of fall with the annual Vanderbilt Hillel Fall Festival. Original Cast, Spectrum, and Harmonic Notion acapella groups performed. Students participated in a “Build-a-Bear” activity, painted pumpkins, tried different challah flavors, roasted s’mores, and tried an iced pumpkin spice latte. (Pictured below)
- During the month of October, students gathered for a vigil in remembrance of the lives lost on October 7th. During the event, students shared their personal stories. (Pictured below)
- At our Dancing With The Stars Shabbat students, our “Pros” were paired up with staff members “Celebs” to perform a dance at Shabbat dinner this past October. Students enjoyed voting for their favorite dance couple! Vanderbilt Hillel has various Shabbat themes throughout the school year.
- Over 40 students gathered to bake 160 loaves for Challah 4 Hunger. Proceeds from the bake will go toward addressing food insecurity in Nashville. (Pictured below)
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| Coming up soon with Vandy Hillel
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Are you interested in being featured in a future alumni newsletter?
We would love to hear from you!
Email Shannon Small at shannon.small@vanderbilt.edu
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