Jewish Life - Des Moines, Iowa

G-d Puts Us In Some Interesting Places...

I'm on a business trip in Charleston, South Carolina and staying at The Charleston Place in the Old City.  Just across Hasell Street, next to the hotel is Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim the reform congregation founded in 1749.  The building is a classic Greek Revival piece of architecture.  It is the second oldest synagogue building in the United States and the oldest in continuous use. Fifteen years ago, when I was last in Charleston, the building was closed and I didn't get the chance to visit.

This past Monday, my first full day in the city, I went back to the synagogue for a look at this historic site.  However, the building didn't open until 10am and I was there at 9:30.  "Tomorrow.", I said to myself.  "Tomorrow I'll make it a point to visit."

Today, I got to walk in the door.

Inside the sanctuary a man was giving a tour to five individuals.  He was giving the history of the congregation and the building.  The visitors were spellbound as he told of the people who, in 1824, petitioned the congregation leaders to change the Sephardic service and become "reform".  That was a scant 14 years after the First Reform Jewish congregation ws started in Germany in 1810. 

But, something was odd.  The man wore a kippah, spoke lovingly about Torah and Mitzvot and...then told the group he had converted years ago.  That he once was a Pentecostal Christian Preacher.

What else?

The people left and left me with David Bozarth.  The former pastor.  We talked, for nearly an hour about G-d, faith, reform, and Orthodox.  He told me he was studying with Rabbi Ari Sytner for his Orthodox conversion because, "I just need to be there and be true to my faith."  And, he talked about all the beauty of the Mitzvot and his dedication to "do more".

And I saw the desire in his eyes.  And, I thought about Des Moines...about Jews who think they understand but are unwilling to go deeper.  And, I thanked G-d for this moment.  ""Show me the way." I have prayed more than once...

G-d puts us in some interesting places and among some interesting people.  Why did He choose today that I should visit a place I had wanted to see for years?  Perhaps simply to remind me, in the most dramatic way, of the beauty of following the commandments He has set before us.  David, I wish you well on your journey.  And, thank you...for giving me sight...for the long road.

See you in Shul!

 

 

 

Hanging With Rabbi Ari Sytner in Charleston

On the road to Charleston, South Carolina and my first stop in the city was to head to Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue where Rabbi Ari Sytner hangs his tallis.  When I planned this business trip I knew that Rabbi Sytner had been the former leader of Beth El Jacob but we had never met.  He left for Charleston before we moved to Des Moines.

At thirty-one Rabbi Sytner looks...25!  When he was in Des Moines ten years ago I'm sure folks wondered why the Bar Mitzvah boy was leading services each day.  But...don't let his boyish looks fool you.  This guy is not only sharp and learned...he also has the energy to stay on track.

We talked about the folks back in Des Moines and he asked about every one he had worked with and asked me to wish them well. He told me about the big victories and the little wins.  About how young men and young women had come and been placed on the path to observance.  We had a great discussion...and it was wonderful

And Jay aka "Huggy Bear" (pictured with rabbi Sytner) has got to be one of the most friendly guys in the world.  What a hoot...and because he lost the Levi honors this morning to a visitor from Des Moines he was trying to take it in good stride.

Thanks for the opportunity to meet, visit and get to know some of the Jews of Charleston.  But...what about this humidity?

See you in shul!! 

 

Life...It's What You Make It

This past week I had a discussion with a person who was angry about her faith...or lack of it.

She was going on about how, "Things have changed, it is no longer like I remember when we once were active in our shul.  So many people have died or moved away and I just do not feel the same about coming to shul.  It's just not friendly."

And, she is partly right.  Things have changed and over the past five years, I've spent more time at the cemetery than near a huppah.  In a way , there has been more than the death of individuals.  There has been the systematic murder of...faith.  What is worse, if you never had it, it's tough to get it back.

The person I was talking with was, in my opinion, coming face to face with a lack of faith in her life.  In the five years that I have been an active member of Beth El Jacob I've seen her in shul perhaps five or six times.  And, then only briefly.  Her children quit coming years ago and her grandchildren, as far as I know, exist mostly as secular Jews.  And, that failure to connect is partly our failure.

Somewhere along the way we failed at the mission of helping her embrace faith over the social context of life.  If you read what she said and consider the lack of participation in spiritual and religious events it's clear what she is mourning.

We have failed at defining faith as a part of life and not just something to "wear" on the holidays or when in need of comfort during tragedy.  And, I fear this has been a life-long issue.  And, sadly...she is not alone.

We see this in other Houses of Worship where people fail to connect with life and faith.  Where folks think "belonging" is enough.  Where the effort is spent not at honoring G-d but in honoring the social aspect of community.  Can the two co-exist?  I think so...but there first needs to be the realization that our job on this earth isn't to plan the next Majong Party but to praise, honor and worship G-d for all the things He has created for us. 

Life is what we make it.  My prayer is that this woman come to realize that true happiness and friendship is in the understanding that we must first serve the mission we have been called to do.  Part of my duty is to work on her...and others.  It couldn't hurt.

See you in shul!

 

 

Beth El Jacob in New York City!

Beth El Jacob, the Orthodox Congregation of Des Moines and Iowa gets to take part in the Orthodox Union Job Fair that takes place in New York City.  My...Beth El Jacob in the "Big Apple", "Gotham" or as they once said in the Pace Pin-cate television ad, "Newww York City?" 

Yep, Iowa heads East.  Why?

We're going to encourage Orthodox Families to make a journey of a lifetime.  To pack up, leave the big city and come to a "better city".  Des Moines is an amazing place that is large enough to matter but small enough to actually feel like "home". 

Here, in Des Moines, we've got affordable housing, no more than a 20 minute commute and an Orthodox Congregation that has the ability to embrace your family and help it grow...really grow in friendship and faith.  That's the Des Moines Difference.

And, Sunday we're at the Orthodox Union Job Fair...talking to folks just like you.

Rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum will be doing the PR work.  He has several things to give you that will introduce you to not only Des Moines but also Beth El Jacob.  But, along with the DVD's and the brochures and the really cool BEJ magnets (yep...honest!) please LISTEN to what he has to say.

Aaron has been where you are.  He is from New Jersey, he has lived in the city.  He spent time in Miami and six years ago made the trip to Des Moines.  He and his family made a decision to build a truly Orthodox Shul here in the Middle of the Midwest...and it's great.

We welcome folks from whatever religious background they may have.  We help our families learn, live and be social.  We help with finding you jobs, with a cash payment of $5,000 to help you buy your home, within walking distance of the shul...and priced between $165,000 to $185,000.  And, that's a very nice home here in Iowa.

So come on by...learn a little and consider Des Moines.  We need you...and if you stop to think about all the benefits...you could really use us.

See you in Shul!

Dislike & Hate on the Radio Today

The events that took place yesterday in Washington, DC mirror so much of what is so wrong in our culture and our daily lives.  People don't just "dislike" other people they often, to their very core...hate.  And, when a person lives a life of hate and when they act out because of that hate...we get things like the murder of a security guard at the United States Holocaust Museum. 

If you missed the LIVE show, here is the recorded show.  Just click this link and you're there!

Today, I have the unique opportunity to visit about this and some other "religious" matters as I "pinch hit" for the Reform Rabbi of Des Moines, David Kaufman.  David has a weekly radio show called, "The Whole Megillah" where he talks about faith, values and Israel from 2:00PM until 4:00PM Central Time.

Several weeks ago he asked if I would "fill in" for him.  It just so happens that today is that day.

And, so we'll talk about hate and dislike.  They are very different.  And, let's be blunt.  I don't much "like" the worship style of my friend David.  I don't understand the Reform talking points and so...I have to be honest and let you know I dislike the style of "Reform".  But...do I hate David?  Nope.  Our job, as Jews, is to love people, to love Jews not to hate them.  The Torah is clear on this message.  Over and over we are told that G-d demands we welcome the stranger and the Jew.

Our in studio guest will be Frankie Meeink a former "skinhead" and member of the Aryan Brotherhood.  He'll be in to talk about hate, what it did to him, how it effected his family and friends.  And..because he was recently at the US Holocaust Museum how this impacts him.  Join us?   Today at 2PM Central www.MacsWorldLive.com

But, the Torah is also clear about what is right and what is wrong.  Evil, we are told, we must distroy.  But, what...is evil?  We'll talk about that and other "Jewish Things" today at 2:00PM Central.

If you would like to catch the show head to www.MacsWorldLive.com where you can hear...and see...what we're talking about.  The Whole Megillah is part of Des Moines Local...Live.  Join us?

See you in Shul! (And on the air...today.)

 

 

Jobs? What's Hot In Des Moines

This coming Sunday, June 14, Beth El Jacob will take part in the upcoming Job Fair for Small Communities sponsored by the Orthodox Union.  The fair will take place in New York City and Rabbi Schwarzbaum will be there to visit with potential families seeking a fresh start.

We figured we should do a little research and look into the Des Moines Job Market ahead of our trip east.  Last week I called Susan Ramsey of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and asked her, "So, what's hot in the job market for folks thinking about coming here to live."  I found her answer to be interesting:

She told me that even in light of the recent announcement of job cuts at Principal Financial there are still employers seeking qualified people in several insurance companies, "You would be surprised at the number of companies here in Des Moines that are looking for people.  Along with insurance we are fielding requests for jobs infinance, medical (there are two new hospitals being built in West Des Moines), education and law."

In addition Governor Culver recently signed into law a bill worth over $700 million for road and bridge construction projects.  So, it would seem some skilled trades and construction jobs will be in the pipeline.

The bottom line is that the unemployment rate in Des Moines is at 4.9% even with some recent layoff notices.  That beats the heck out of 7.7% in New York City or 11.3% in Newark or the 22% in Detroit. 

You can Do More in Des Moines...and...while we're on that.  Check out this video from the Des Moines Partnership.  Very nice.

See you in shul!