MONTHLY MESSAGES

At the Annual Meeting we were hoping to close out the fiscal year with a surplus and indeed we did. Fiscal Year 2019 ended with a $26,000 surplus. That surplus has been put aside and the Temple Board of Directors will be deciding how to distribute those funds. Some of the funds will likely go towards paying back what the Temple owes to its endowment, and some of the funds will be used to help offset the expenses of the major building improvement we have planned for Fiscal Year 2020.

As you may know some of the equipment in our kitchen is 30-plus years old, and maintaining that equipment is becoming an impossible task. For example there just are no parts made that can be used to repair our ovens at this point.  As a result it was decided to replace much of the equipment in the kitchen this fiscal year. At this time we will be replacing the ovens, the refrigerator, and the ice machine.

I am currently getting bids to replace this equipment and this will be no small project. The cost to replace the stove and ovens may be close to $20,000. We will be looking at all of our options in order to be fiscally responsible as we make these decisions about our kitchen.

To make things more complicated we noticed when we measured our current equipment that none would fit through the existing doors in the kitchen. I consulted with our former Facility Manager Jack Huff who informed us the closet that was used for the Sisterhood Gift Shop was originally an entrance into the kitchen. Knowing that we will again need to move equipment in and out of the kitchen through that entry, we have demoed that closet. If you are in the social hall you won’t notice a thing, but if you are in the kitchen you will notice an opening where once there was a wall.

I hope to update you on this project in the coming months. On the topic of updates we are on schedule to make all our security updates prior to the High Holidays. Currently our doors are being built and should be installed by the end of August or the beginning of September. Security cameras should be installed any day now. You may have noticed the pole that was installed in our front lawn. A 360 degree camera will be mounted on that pole to monitor the entire front of our sanctuary and some of our parking lot. There will be four other cameras installed that will give us complete video surveillance of our grounds.

It’s definitely exciting that we are making these great improvements to our facility. Again I hope to update via our weekly e-mails and bulletins as these projects are completed.

Shalom,

David Muenchrath

This is always an interesting time of the year – it’s so…transitional.  We’re still in the midst of the summer for which we waited so long, but the State Fair is here and the start of school is just around the corner.  Soon we’ll be focused on juggling hectic schedules throughout the week and college football on Saturdays…after Torah study of course.

The High Holy Days are a bit later this year, with Erev Rosh Hashanah falling on Sunday 9/29 and Kol Nidre on Tuesday 10/8.  What are your memories of this time, either as a child or as an adult?  Mine go back to 3^rd grade religious school and BJ Shlaes bringing in apples and honey.  Or Kathy Mandelbaum and Wendy Barmish leading our class to the chapel for services with Rabbi Goldburg.

I also remember missing classes at Roosevelt High School for services.  Between Temple kids and the kids from Tifereth Israel there were so many students gone that there was never any question the absences wouldn’t have a negative impact…even when the TI kids took an extra day at Rosh Hashanah.  We had 20 people in my Temple confirmation class.  We were from Roosevelt, Valley, Hoover and Urbandale…and we were all friends.

I suspect that this is where somebody should nudge me and remind me to stop reminiscing and look at what a terrific Temple environment we have today.  It’s true!  In spite of demographic challenges and the occasional financial hurdle, our Temple is poised to celebrate the Hebrew year 5780.  We have an exceptional staff taking care of the day-to-day details.

Your Temple Board is committed to safeguarding where we are today while at the same time keeping an eye on what the future holds.  Our Temple Board is a great mix of diverse individuals: women & men; young & not so young; those members new to the Temple & those from generations at the Temple.

I would be very remiss if I didn’t give special mention to the musicians and vocalists who provide the music during services, particularly around the High Holy Days.  They add so much richness to our services and the overall experience.  In many ways I believe they are what helps distinguish the Temple.  My personal thanks to all those who contribute.

We are entering a joyous and holy time for us.  We are privileged to carry on traditions that have been passed down to us from generation to generation over thousands of years.  We have a place to worship that has no rival in terms of its beauty and significance to its congregants.  Your Temple board and staff hope you’ll be able to join us for High Holy Day services, but however you choose to worship here’s wishing you a sweet and happy New Year!

And whether your personal favorite is the butter cow, the midway, or the livestock buildings…or if you’re a Cyclone, Hawkeye or Panther, enjoy this time of year!

B’Shalom,
Bill Grund