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RABBI’S MESSAGE

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Kaufman A

Shalom All,

We’re coming up on the High Holidays and they’re going to be a bit different this year as you might expect. “Different” doesn’t need to be a bad thing. Yes, we will miss gathering together in-person in the Sanctuary and we will miss having our choir, but we have new opportunities this year as well and we’re going to make the most of them.

Our ancestors faced, in their own eras, times of difficulty, some much more extreme, of course, than what we face today. The COVID pandemic has given us but an inkling of what times of plague might have been like with our understanding that the spread of illness is a real threat and a great fear for many of us. For a time, our lives have had to change. We’ve needed to adapt as best we can and do not know when that need will abate. It may be a while yet.

We’re coming up on a Presidential election that may have significant consequences across the spectrum of social issues, economics, and even national security. Presidential elections usually are that, but this one seems a bit more so. That may be because of the candidates involved, our political climate today, or amid ongoing protests and rioting in a number of American cities and in an economy severely impacted by the pandemic. This is a time of concern.

This week it is also a time of hopeful celebration as Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalize diplomatic relations. The excitement in both nations about the possibilities of working together in many ways and of tourism is very high. I don’t know that I have ever seen so many Israelis skeptical of peace prospects be so hopeful. On the last day of August, 2020, the first Israeli flagged plane, an El-Al 737, overflew Saudi Arabian airspace, flying over Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on its way to Abu Dhabi. The landing was greeted with fanfare and the passengers, diplomats and journalists, met with UAE counterparts in lavish surroundings. The events didn’t seem so much like a thaw in relations as they did like the announcement of an engagement. In a year of unhappy news, it is a blessing to have this good news.

Shanah Tovah, may you have a happy, HEALTHY, and sweet New Year!

Rabbi David Kaufman

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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What a difference a year makes.  That might be one of the biggest understatements muttered in a long time.  Let’s do a brief inventory:

PANDEMIC

A year ago the words COVID and coronavirus were nowhere on anyone’s radar.  I suspect it would have been inconceivable to most people how our world would be turned upside down.  With the possible exception of the polio epidemic, it’s very likely that a strong majority of our congregation has never experienced anything like this.

We all yearn for a return to in-person gatherings…Shabbat services, life cycle events, social events and continued learning opportunities, not to mention the camaraderie and friendship shared with our Temple family.  This may be particularly poignant with the high holy days just around the corner.

I assure you that your Temple Board is committed to returning to in-person services as soon as we feel it is safe for everyone and without exposing congregants and staff to unnecessary risk.  Until then, we will continue streaming events online.  Please don’t hesitate to contact the Temple office if you need assistance navigating the internet to find our services.

WEATHER

Would you like some derecho on your burrito?  Seriously??  This is likely another first for most of us.  Feedback so far is that even though most of us were affected by either power outage or downed tree branches, fortunately it sounds like very few had property damage.  There was also very little damage at the Temple and the Jewish cemeteries.  It’s probably not a stretch to say that it was a birthday to remember.

CIVIL UNREST

As Jews we have historically been empathetic and supportive of other groups seeking equality.  The protests and marches, primarily connected to the Black Lives Matter movement, are at a level not seen since the 1960s.  Regrettably, many of those gatherings have turned violent and destructive.  Who can ever remember a curfew in the greater Des Moines area?  I think we all hope for fair and humane treatment for everyone, and sooner rather than later.

BUSINESS/ECONOMIC CHANGES

Many of our places of business have been impacted directly or as a byproduct of COVID.  Some businesses are on reduced hours…some have gone to working remotely from home…some businesses have closed, either temporarily or permanently.  This also dovetails into our leisure time activities.  Hopefully we’ll see a return soon to going to a dinner & movie or perhaps your favorite team’s football game.

POLITICS

Oh yeah, there are these little things called national elections coming up in a few months.  Whichever side of the political ledger you may rest on, there is a lot of passion on both sides.  And is it just me, or do the campaign ads on TV seem to be getting more mean-spirited?  It looks like there will be hotly contested races at many levels of government.

SO NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS…

With all this, how can there possibly be any good news?  Well there is!  When it comes to facing times of unrest, trials and tribulations, this is not the first rodeo for Jews as a whole and specifically some in our congregation.  Both Passover and Chanukkah are holidays born out of conflict or unrest, not to mention the atrocities of the Shoah.  We are Jews.  We’ve become too familiar with the worst that circumstances can throw at us.  Yet we always find a way to survive, ultimately even thriving.  The worst brings out our best.

 

Here’s wishing each of you a peaceful close to 5780, and a sweet 5781 full of health, happiness and prosperity!

B’Shalom,
Bill Grund

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

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Muenchrath A

2020 has continued to prove to be a year that most of us will never forget. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought the word “derecho” would become a regular part of my vocabulary. Thankfully that storm caused minimal damage to the Temple and the section of Woodland cemetery we manage. Losing a little bit of food in our freezers and refrigerators is nothing compared to some of the devastation this storm caused throughout our state.

Of course, this storm served as a great reminder that we will endure no matter what we face, and we will endure these challenges together. For example, I made an offhand comment at our August board meeting that we only had small branches down at Woodland cemetery that needed to be raked and if anyone wanted to get some good outside exercise they could help rake those up. The next thing I knew piles of little branches and sticks started showing up around the cemetery. Again we will face these challenges together and by helping one another.

Not only do I want to thank those who helped us out during the derecho, but I want to thank all of our members who are helping and supporting the Temple. There are a number of congregations and not-for-profits that are struggling during the pandemic. Thankfully the Temple is not in that situation.

As you know, every year we ask members to reevaluate their annual Dues and ask that members increase their Dues by 3%. Almost all of our members have been able to do this and many have raised their annual gift to the Temple by more than 3%. In these still uncertain times that is a huge gift and again I can’t thank those members enough.

Lastly, as we move forward I wanted to let you know that we will continue to have limited staff at the Temple during the week. Typically, Erin and I will be alternating who will be in the office, while the other works from home. So there will almost always be someone at the Temple during normal business hours. We will continue to stream services and we are currently in the process of updating our lighting and video equipment in the sanctuary.  In this way we hope to  stay connected to all of you so that we can endure the challenges we face.

Thanks and Be Well,

David Muenchrath

Congratulations to our High School Seniors

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Congratulations to our High School Seniors:
Celebrate Their Achievements on Friday, May 4

DAHLIA CALLISTEIN is the much-loved daughter of Gabrielle and Steve Callistein and the fabulous big sister of Benjamin. She simultaneously graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Central Academy and Roosevelt High School. She will be attending a small liberal arts college in the Northwest, but is yet undecided on which one! Her varied interests and talents include the visual arts, Spanish, violin, Central American life and culture, intersectional feminism and creative writing.

GABRIELLE ROSE DUBANSKY, daughter of Robert and Peggy Dubansky will graduate from Valley High School on May 27th, 2018. Gabbi has been active in Model UN, Silver Cord, Best Buddies, photography, writing, and art. She will start her first year of Iowa State University this fall and plans to study English, Environmental Science, and Art.

HANNA KAUFMAN, daughter of Rabbi David and Julie, is a senior at Roosevelt High school. She is very involved and is currently in Varsity Show Choir, Acapella Vocal Jazz Choir, Chamber Choir, Bridges 2 Harmony Gospel Choir, Thespians, Color Guard, and Swim Team. She is the choreographer for JV show choir and the student director for Varsity Show Choir as well. Hanna will be attending the University of Iowa’s Honors Program in the fall, and will be majoring in Human Health and Physiology and potentially double majoring in Music Therapy. Hanna would like to be a physical therapist when she graduates. This summer she will be a lifeguard, as her passion is helping others get better.

ELIZABETH KIRSNER, daughter of Richard and Mary Kay Kirsner, will graduate from Roosevelt High School on May 26, 2018. Elizabeth has been active in various musical programs at Roosevelt participating in the Show Choir and is a member of the Chamber Choir and the Bridges 2 Harmony gospel choir. She has played tennis on the Roosevelt woman’s team and is a captain of the 2018 Varsity Women’s Tennis team. In addition to her academic studies, Elizabeth has continued to study the piano and is a previous 1st Place Winner, State Level D2, of the Iowa Music Teachers Association’s competition. Elizabeth plans on studying Environment Science in college with a minor in music performance. She will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall.

KAYLA LAUFENBERG, daughter of Cathie and Lonny Laufenberg and granddaughter of Don and Ronna Pochter, is graduating from Valley High School on May 27, 2018. Kayla plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall of 2018. Kayla will pursue a degree in nursing. During her years at Valley, Kayla was on the Valley track team. She was also a cheerleader for Valley football, basketball and wrestling.

SPENCER LAUFENBERG, the son of Cathie and Lonny Laufenberg and grandson of Don and Ronna Pochter, is graduating from Valley High School on May 27, 2018. Spencer plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall of 2018. Spencer will major in Business Administration and Accounting. During his years at Valley, Spencer took numerous business and entrepreneurial classes with business mentors and hands on experience.

COLIN SILVERSTEIN, son of David and Andrea Silverstein will graduate from Waukee High School on May 21, 2018. Colin has participated in Waukee’s APEX program where he studied Finance and Banking as well as Exercise and Sports Science. Colin plays hockey for the Des Moines Oak Leafs. He will attend DMACC Ankeny in the fall.

JOSH SOBEL, son of Maria and Phil, graduated early from from Johnston High School in December of 2017. He enjoyed playing on the tennis and basketball teams at various times during his high school experience. Josh has been successfully maintaining employment at Home Depot for the past two years, and he plans to continue his career there until further notice.

BEN STONE, son of David and Wendy Stone, is a student at Roosevelt High School. During his time there, he was involved in swimming, band, drumline, theater, show choir band, pit orchestra, and National Honor Society. Ben plans on attending the University of Iowa next year and double majoring in Computer Science and Percussion Performance.

Sign Up to be a Shabbat Greeter

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 hospitality 

 

Temple B’nai Jeshurun is a welcoming community and one of the efforts we make is to greet those that join us for our Friday night Shabbat Services.  Meeting our congregants and visitors “panim el panim” (face to face) fosters a genuine and authentic connection with that person.  

Greeters have an opportunity to make a first impression on visitors to our community, showing that someone is present and open to their needs.  Greeters contribute to a welcoming congregational culture and lay a foundation for the rest of the congregation to connect and create meaning with one another.

Temple congregants can sign up to be a Shabbat Greeter by clicking on the SignUp.com button below:

 

Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on SignUp.com

Your role as a Shabbat Greeter: To be a Temple ambassador and welcome all those who enter the Temple. At 5:30 pm during the wine and cheese reception, manage the Welcome Table that is positioned at the entrance to the Social Hall. Welcome each individual and have them make a name tag. If the person in visiting for the first time, take a minute to welcome them and obtain basic information using a Temple contact card. During the wine and cheese reception, meet with others and answer any questions they may have or refer them to certain marketing pieces that are available (new members brochure, new members application, complimentary copy of the Bulletin, etc.). At 6:00 pm, walk with individuals to the Sanctuary and assist by handing out Shabbat programs or making sure prayer books are available to all. At the end of services, assist in organizing the Sanctuary and Social Hall for the next day (all Shabbat programs are picked-up, all prayer books are placed in pews, any trash is addressed, etc.).

Thank you for volunteering as a Shabbat Greeter! The Temple Board appreciates your time and effort dedicated to this important role. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to be a Temple ambassador by greeting our Temple guests to Shabbat services.

Iowa Trip to Israel

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israel trip
The Temple community has been invited to join Temple Judah of Cedar Rapids for an Iowa trip to Israel.  Rabbi Todd Thalblum of Temple Judah and Rabbi Kaufman plan to go on the trip which will take place June 9-18, 2018.  The trip is designed to be an introductory trip to Israel, visiting the major sites.  For more information visit the Trip Website, or contact Rabbi Kaufman for more information.

Temple Presidents

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Presidents of Temple B’nai Jeshurun Board of Trustees:

Present:  Allan Adato 1956-1958: Boni Druker
2015-2017: Judy Shkolnick 1954-1956: Leonard Neufeld
2011-2012: Robert Gitchell 1952-1954: David H. Lipsey
2009-2011: Richard Kirsner 1950-1952: Alfred Boldes
2007-2009: Stacie Franklin 1948-1950: Albert Berkowitz
2005-2007: Stuart Feldstein 1946-1947: William Friedman, Sr.
2003-2005: Anne Loeb 1945-1946: Louis E. Cohen
2001-2003: Tom Press 1944-1945: Sam Abramson
1999-2001: Norman Mandelbaum 1942-1944: Saul Ginsberg
1997-1999: Judy Deutch 1940-1942: Ben Sanders
1995-1997: John Mandelbaum 1937-1939: Sam Abramson
1993-1995: Bruce Sherman 1935-1936: Harry Goldman
1991-1993: Steven Schoenebaum 1933-1934: Joseph Brody
1989-1991: Anita Mandelbaum 1927-1932: Morris O. Kahn
1987-1989 Thomas Goldman 1925-1926: Mose Cohen
1985-1987: Harry Pomerantz 1924-1925: Jocob Lince
1983-1985: Ben Swartz 1918-1923: Morris Samish
1981-1983: Jay Daniels 1916-1917: Anselm Frankel
1979-1981: Jill Kneeter 1911-1915: Max Schloss
1977-1979: Milton Brown 1901-1910: Julius Mandelbaum
1975-1977: Matthew Bucksbaum 1899-1900: Isaac Long
1973-1975: Fred Lorber 1894-1899: Abraham Sheuerman
1971-1973: Roy Swarzman 1892-1893: Moritz Riegelman
1969-1971: Edward Glazer 1890-1891: Moses Strauss
1967-1969: Robert Lubetkin 1888-1889: Moritz Riegelman
1966-1967: Julian Brody 1887-1888: Marcus Younker
1964-1966: Jerome Wolf 1883-1887: Abraham Sheuerman
1962-1964: Robert Mannheimer 1881-1882: Moritz Riegelman
1960-1962: Alvin Kirsner 1879-1880: David Goldman
1958-1960: Lawrence Weinstock 1878-1879: Isaac Kuhn
   

 

 

Donations and Purchases Added to Our Website

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You can now make donations to one of our funds in honor, in memory, for the recovery of, etc on our website.  We have also added the ability to purchase Yarhzeit Plaques and a Leaf or a Stone on our Tree of Life.  

Check out the new “Giving” menu item to find out more about these opportunities to support the Temple.

Donations/purchases made through our website are processed using PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use PayPal.  PayPal allows you to use a credit card or debit card to make a donation without a PayPal account.

Temple B’nai Jeshurun Funds

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The Temple depends on the generosity of its congregation and other supporters.  You can support the Temple as you celebrate with family and friends; as you remember a loved one; as you pray for the healing of body and spirit; as you show thanks and appreciation; as you share with the less fortunate.  The Temple maintains the following Funds:

DESCRIPTION OF FUND NAME OF FUND
GENERAL:  
Supports the current operating expenses of the Temple Temple General Fund
Supports the purchase of prayerbooks The Abe and Harriet Friedman Prayerbook Fund
Provides books and periodicals for the Temple Library The Ben Sanders Memorial Library Fund
Supports the purchase and care of our sacred scrolls The Donald J. Brown Torah Fund
Provides flowers for services and other special events The Frankel Flower Fund
CARE & CONCERN  
Supports the Rabbi in helping the needs of the congregation
and greater Des Moines community		 The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Supports the Caring Community in assisting Temple congregants in times of need The Caring Community Fund
Supports the programs and activities of the Social Action Committee benefiting the Des Moines community  The Social Action Fund
YOUTH  
Provides a book of Jewish content for each Bar and Bat Mitzvah The Belin Trust Fund
Provides scholarships for Temple youth receiving higher education at a Jewish college or university The Education Loan Fund
Supports general youth activities The Marks Youth Fund
Provides scholarships to families with children who wish to attend a Jewish camp or a URJ-sponsored trip to Israel The Ralph Copple Camp Fund
Supports Youth Group activities The Youth Group Discretionary Fund
PROGRAMMING  
Supports the Temple choir The Cantorial Music Fund

Supports community celebrations such as Passover Seder and Yom Kippur break the fast, as well as
Temple anniversary events and Israel related programming

 The Oxer and Harris Special Events Fund
Supports non-physical facility needs and programming, as well as personnel needs The Program Endowment Fund
Provides musical interludes on Yom Kippur, creative liturgies and other programming needs The Sam & Mollie Hockenberg Program Fund
Supports art exhibits as well as musical concerts by artists/musicians “in residence” The Sidney & Rose Pearlman Fine Arts Appreciation Fund
 ENDOWMENT  
 Provides tuition, seminar costs, sabbatical, travel and out-of-town living expenses for the Rabbi and family The A.H. Blank Memorial Sabbatical Fund
Supports the maintenance, construction, and acquisition of physical facilities The Building Endowment Fund
Provides outreach to interfaith families The David Belin Family Outreach & Welcoming Fund
Supports the financial stability for future needs, guaranteeing the next generation has access to this holy community The Dor L’Dor Endowment Fund
Cares for the Temple-affiliated Emanuel Cemetary at Woodland Cemetery The Gordon/Adelman Cenetery Fund
Supports Temple Educational and cultural programs as recommended by the Rabbi The Harry & Mollie Goldman Educational Fund
Supports expenses associated with maintaining and funding rabbinic needs The Harry & Peggy Pomerantz Rabbinic Endowment Fund
Supports clergy and laity with opportunities to increase their leadership skiils and knowledge The Mandelbaum Leadership Development Fund
Supports the Temple’s long-term viability and operations The Press Family Fund
 Supports the Temple’s choir The Norman J. Shalett Choir Fund
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Temple B’nai Jeshurun
5101 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 274-4679

Temple Office Hours:
Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm
Fri 9am-4pm

Yom Rivii, 3 Heshvan 5781
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