UJA J-Teen Leadership Explores Civil Rights on Nashville MLK Trip

Nashville MLK Weekend Trip Offers Teens Civil Rights and Jewish Leadership Program

Teenagers looking to spend their MLK weekend exploring civil rights history, music, and Jewish values can now register for the upcoming J-Teen Leadership service trip to Nashville, UJA-Federation reported. The multi-day excursion is designed to connect participants with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community through hands-on volunteering, local community connections, and cultural exploration.

Participants Tour Nashville Sites Focusing on Civil Rights

The trip packs a busy schedule of historical and cultural stops across Tennessee’s capital. Participants will tour the Nashville Public Library’s Civil Rights Room to examine the history of the Nashville sit-ins, nonviolent activism, and interfaith allyship. The itinerary also features a private tour at Vanderbilt University with Vanderbilt Hillel, where attendees will connect with local Jewish teens and community leaders to discuss Southern Jewish history, identity, and social action.

Music and service anchor much of the remaining weekend. Teens will visit the National Museum of African American Music to explore the role of music in resilience, protest, and social change, followed by an MLK Legacy Songwriting Workshop focused on justice and dignity. Service components include hands-on volunteer projects benefiting Nashville community members and participation in the city’s official MLK Day programming. Attendees will also experience local food and public art, celebrate Shabbat with the Nashville and Vanderbilt Jewish community, take in an all-ages live performance, and attend the Scott Hamilton & Friends event at Bridgestone Arena, which benefits innovative cancer research.

Registration Details and Logistics

The program is eligible for community service hours. The cost covers hotel accommodations, transportation within Nashville, event entrance fees, and most meals and snacks. Airfare, personal spending money, and food purchased at airports are not included in the trip fee. Organizers note that a parent or guardian must complete the “Your Information” section on the official event registration page.