Tennessee: The Testing Ground for Christian Nationalism in America?

What does it mean when a Jewish family is denied the chance to foster a child—because of their religion—by an agency funded by the state? In Tennessee, that isn’t just a theoretical question. It’s reality and it’s a reality that’s coming for all of us. 

Join Jews for a Secular Democracy for a powerful conversation with Gabe Rutan-Ram, Executive Director of Change TN, and Rebecca Markert, Vice President for Legal Affairs at Americans United for Separation of Church and State (bios below). Gabe and his wife are the lead plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit after being turned away from a foster care agency that receives state funding—simply because they are Jewish. Their case is a chilling example of what happens when Christian nationalism shapes public policy.

Tennessee is emerging as a testing ground for the Christian nationalist agenda—from discriminatory foster care laws to state-sponsored religion in public schools and courtrooms. But the implications go far beyond one state. Gabe’s story—and the policies behind it—are part of a national strategy, exemplified by Project 2025, to dismantle the separation of church and state, elevate one religion above all others, and roll back civil rights.

Learn why this fight matters for Jews, for people of all faiths and none, and for anyone who believes in a pluralistic, democratic America.

This virtual event is taking place on August 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm EDT. Register here!

Rebecca Market
Rebecca S. Markert serves as the Vice President and Legal Director at AU, leading a team of attorneys working to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state. Prior to joining AU, Rebecca was the Legal Director at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, where she built the legal department and led its team of attorneys for 15 years. Rebecca has overseen more than 80 church-state cases, and coordinated and drafted amicus briefs in federal appellate courts across the country including the U.S. Supreme Court. Rebecca is a co-host and creator of the We Dissent podcast, a popular monthly podcast featuring secular women attorneys discussing true religious liberty and their work to keep religion and government separate.

Prior to law school, Rebecca worked for then-U.S. Senator Russ Feingold both in his legislative office in Washington, D.C., and in his campaign office in Madison, WI.

Rebecca received her B.A. in political science, international relations, and German from the University of Wisconsin in 1998. She received her J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2008.

Gabe Rutan-Ram
Originally from the North Georgia mountains, Gabe moved to Knoxville back in 2015, shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia with a background in media management. Moving from rural Georgia to Knoxville, he spent the next five years traveling around Tennessee. During that time, he witnessed firsthand the destructive path of laissez-faire policy on rural communities and committed to doing something about it. The commitment to making a difference came home when he and his wife, Elizabeth, were denied foster and adoptive services from an organization solely for being Jewish.