Bernard Werthan Jr.

Bernard Werthan, Jr.

Nashville, TN

On May 5, 2017, Bernard Werthan Jr., age 86, died from an extended illness. A businessman and community leader, Bernard was a lifelong resident of Nashville.

He was born to Leah Rose and Bernard Werthan Sr. He attended Parmer School, Montgomery Bell Academy and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated Tau Beta Pi in engineering in 1952. Bernard was stationed in South Carolina and served for two years in the army. In 1953, Bernard married his lifelong sweetheart Betty Kornman, who survives him. Bernard joined his family business, Werthan Bag Company (later Werthan Packaging) where he spent his entire career, retiring in 2000 as chairman.

Bernard had a deep commitment to his Jewish heritage and was proud to be a forceful advocate for the greater Jewish community. He was a past president of The Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom and was an active member of numerous Temple committees, including the Social Action Committee. In addition, he served on the Jewish Federation of Nashville Community Relations Committee and the Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable.

Bernard's passion for equal opportunity, education and justice made him a vital voice in the community. He worked tirelessly for causes that promoted these values. For 50 years, Bernard gave his heart and soul to Nashville OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center), a community organization that provides education, training, and job placement services for underserved populations. At Nashville OIC he was involved in every aspect of the program, including serving as its board president for many years.

He was board chairman of Peabody Demonstration School and was instrumental in leading its successful transition to become University School of Nashville. Bernard also served as advisory board member of Tennessee State University College of Business. He was a member of the Vanderbilt University Divinity School Board of Visitors, a board member of Nashville Alliance for Public Education, and was an active participant in Leadership Nashville's Education Day.

Bernard always strived to help people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs live and work together with understanding and mutual respect. He believed these values make Nashville stronger. His optimism never wavered. Recognizing the need for dialogue and understanding among all religious faiths, in 2012, Bernard co-founded Circle of Friends, which later became Family of Abraham. He also co-founded the Faith and Culture Center/Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative Nashville.

Bernard's other board memberships included the United Way Campaign Cabinet, First American Bank, the YMCA, the YWCA Advisory Board, League for the Hearing Impaired, United Nations Association Nashville, and Community Nashville.

Bernard has been honored with the FiftyForward Crowning Achievement Award, the Community Nashville Human Relations Award, the Goldziher Award for Jewish-Muslim Dialogue, the Islamic Center of Nashville's Beyond Borders Award and, most recently, the ACLU Lifetime Achievement Award.

Besides his wife Betty, survivors include his children Betsy Werthan (Bart Schwartz), Kay Werthan (Glenroy Bowe), Tim Werthan (Yoom), and Tony Werthan (Cathy); a sister, Joan Blum Shayne; and a brother and sister-in-law Moshe and Libby Werthan; grandchildren Lesley (Brian), Elijah, Claire, Justin (Hilary), Ben, Cassady and Tennessee; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

The family gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary and devoted care provided during this past year by Richard Bartley, Deborah Armstrong, Somaria (Sam) Johnson, Martha Medina, Mary Neely, Mfon Ukpong and Alive Hospice. Bernard donated his body to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at The Temple, 5015 Harding Road in Nashville, conducted by Rabbi Mark Schiftan and Rabbi Shana Goldstein Mackler. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Nashville OIC, P.O. Box 280507, Nashville 37228; The Temple, 5015 Harding Road, Nashville 37205; Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville 37203; University School of Nashville Scholarship Endowment Fund, 2000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN 37212.

Family will receive guests at a reception immediately following the memorial service.