Jewish Life - Des Moines, Iowa

Learning - A Lifelong Event

Several week's ago Beth El Jacob did a Member Survey that indicated a number of issues some members had with our delivery of service.  One of those issues had to do with Hebrew and classes.  So, we have now augmented Rabbi Schwarzbaum's weekly individual learning classes with a group class led by board member, Eric Michaels.  The name of the class is:  Understanding Prayerbook Hebrew and it meets each Sunday morning following services.

At our first session this past Sunday we had seven people take part in the class.  Eric explained the rational of teaching the subject and introduced the students to the text, "Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way" (Third Edition) published by EKS Publishing Company (510-251-9102).  Each student is required to purchase their own copy.  We understand there are copies available at Amazon.com as well.

Thanks Eric for picking up the ball on this class.  As one of the students, I was impressed at your knowledge and your teaching ability.  Good stuff....

For those of you who missed the FIRST CLASS...here is your invitation to join us again this Sunday Morning! 

See you in Shul!

Being Jewish / Christian And Being "In Touch"...

WOW...that was a long time huh?  We've been mostly "out of the loop" since the first Seder on Wednesday night.  Then Second Seder than Shabbat!  It's really been an amazing three days.  The learning, the sharing, the rest.  Ahhhh...The Rest!

And, think of it...we "get" to do this every week.

When I was in Israel in November I was struck by the fact the country has a six-day work week.  Sort of like many of us if you own your business or have a "Crackberry" on your hip.  We "need" to be in touch with everything and everybody... (And, I thought these "modern marvels" were supposed to give us more "free time".  Yeah, right!)

And, so, for many of us being "out of the loop" for one day is tough...but three!  In a row! 

But sadly...many of us didn't take the time to remember, pray and re-charge.  It's not unique to the Jews...

Today on our Twitter account @JewishDesMoines many of my Christian friends are posting Tweets about going to Church...for the first time this year.  Some are surprised at what they are finding, "My our bell choir is getting all professional dressed in black!"  Or, "Gosh, they have re-decorated the sanctuary!"  One even said, "What!  A new preacher!!?!?"

We can only hope that the Jews who found their way to a Seder might come back to Shul this week.  We can only hope that Christians who went to services today won't wait until December to return.  You see, there are more important things...to being "in touch".

It's not a lecture...only a hope that we begin to better understand how G-d works in our lives.  Remember...nothing happens by chance.  And it was not simply "chance" that motivated you to attend your house of worship this week....

See you in Shul!

 

The Trouble With Islam Today - Des Moines

The Jewish Community Relations Commission presented the Annual Teachers Institute on Israel this week here in Des Moines.  The featured speaker was Irshad Manji an outspoken critic of the "hijacking of Islam" by radical Muslims.

In a word...the event was wonderful.

At least 250 educators and teachers came together to hear Irshad discuss intolerance at nearly every level.  Intolerance of religion, women, teachers, multi-cultural learning...

It was a full evening and we're glad we attended.

Irshad remains a devoted Muslim but, as she says on the back-cover of her book, "Islam is on very thin ice with me.  We Muslims are conspiring against ourselves.  We're in crisis and we're dragging the rest of the world with us.  If ever there was a moment for an Islamic reformation, it's now."

Powerful words...and a great evening.

Sitting at our table we enjoyed the company of Mary Lynne and Charles.  Mary Lynnne is with the Des Moines Public Schools and Charles (her nephew) is a teaching student at Simpson College just south of Des Moines in Indianola.

Also at our table was Lydia and Nicole.  Both are students at Simpson.  One involved in sports administration and the other science.

Rounding out our table was Jessica and Catrina both teaching students at Simpson.  Catrina...the only non-Iowan from our table comes from Kansas City.  Welcome.

It really was an interesting evening and we were grateful to represent Beth El Jacob and the Des Moines Jewish Community.

See you in Shul...

Jewish Genealogist - Julian Preisler

Beth El Jacob the Orthodox Jewish Congregation of Des Moines, Iowa.

Meet our friend Julian Preisler who is a professional genealogist and researcher. This past summer Julian sent us a note requesting information on several Jewish congregations in Iowa.  In particular he was interested in gathering some photos for an e-book featuring the congregations of the United States.

We went ahead and got him some photos of Beth El Jacob, Adas Israel (Mason City) and some history about Beth El of Fort Dodge.  We even made a visit to Hamilton Funeral home on the east side of Des Moines which was once the site of the Sons of Israel congregation.  As time went on Julian kept us informed about his project.  To be honest we had no idea of the scope.

Until he sent us a link the a sample of the book, "American Synagogues - A Photographic Journey" Volume One.

Remarkable.  In the book there are roughly 3,200 photos of over 1,400 existing buildings from all across the United States.  Some currently house Jewish congregations but sadly many more no longer serve as spiritual centers.  Some have become churches, others homes and still other sit abandoned.   

It's a wonderful look at history, architecture, and the migration of Jews across the country.  (Here is a link directly to the Iowa portion of the e-book.)  It is also a troubling work in the fact that where once stood vibrant Jewish Communities there are now empty shells.

But, as with anything we can choose to look at the bleak side of the story...or rededicate ourselves to making a stand for Judaism and build our community.  It's a challenge that is much more clear when we view Julian Preisler's book.

"American Synagogues - A Photographic Journey" Volume One is available on CD-ROM for $18 which includes postage.  You can call Julian Directly or feel free to send him an e-mail.  More information is available on his Website.

Or...if you would like to order the CD-ROM through the Beth El Jacob office simply give us a call at 515-274-1551 and we'll handle the order and bill you.

In the memory of all those who have gone before us...it's the least we can do.

See you in Shul!

Jewish Learning...Made Simple!

If you are Jewish...and we assume because you subscribe to this Blog...you are.  You come to realize that nothing is more intimate and wonderful than the Friday Evening Meal.

In the world we live in it almost seems inconceivable that we turn off the TV or radio, decline an evening out and instead focus on our family.  It's just the very best!

But sometimes KNOWING how to celebrate Shabbat at home, what to do, how to enjoy this major religious experience escapes some folks.  So...rather than dive in we make excuses to do something else.

Ever been there?

We have and that's why I was so excited to have found this series of booklets written by an uncle of my friend Rabbi Levi Goldstein.

Rabbi Zalman Goldstein has been writing self-educational books for some time.  You can find his work at The Jewish Learning Group. 

I had the opportunity to walk through a number of the books at Levi's home the other day and they are an excellent read...and easy for anybody to understand.

The "Shabbat Table Companion" is great for helping your family

with the entire home service...from setting the table to the various prayers.  Very nice piece.

And, if you want to learn how to get from where you are to becoming "Kosher in Thirty Days"...well, try this book.

You'll find a host of great books designed around helping you become...well, more Jewish than you are today.  You'll even find an electronic "Blessing Key Chain"  I kid you not.  Enjoy!

See you in Shul...

Golden Compass - Wrong Direction

It's not just Christians who should be interested in the book and movie "The Golden Compass" we Jews should also pay attention.

The movie, which was released last week, has been getting lots of press.  Much of it negative.

And, there is a reason.

The movie, and the book of the same name, follows the adventures of a young girl as she travels through various "worlds" occupied by witches, armor-plated bears, and assassins out to defeat the forces of a senile God.  (You read that right...)

The author, Phillip Pullman, is either an agnostic or an atheist (he has described himself as both) and has said that his books (This is the first in a series of three) are, "...about killing God" and that he was, "...trying to undermine the Christian belief."  You can read the entire piece right here.

The whole thing is a bit sad.  You see, an "atheist" is religious.  They subscribe to the "religion of atheism".  They spend their time attempting to prove in their small and confused way that there is no God and there is no faith. 

I suspect "having faith" that there is "no faith"...is a religious adventure.

As an Orthodox Jewish Community in Des Moines we realilze that people have the freedom to write what they wish.  We, like our Christian friends, just don't need to support it. 

While we pray that it fails...

See you in shul...

A Gift To The Community...

Work is continuing on the new Genizah constructed at Glendale Cemetery here in Des Moines.  The Genizah is literally a "hiding place" or "store room" where Beth El Jacob and other congregations may deposit worn-out sacred books.

This gift to the community was made possible by the Bassman Family.  Jerry and Steve Bassman are both regular minyan men at Beth El Jacob.

The old Genizah was in very bad repair and the Bassman family wished to do something permanent for the congregations that would create a more dignified environment for the deposit of sacred books and items with the name of God written on them.  This has truly improved the facility.

Our thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the family for such a thoughful and useful gift!

See you in shul!

Biblical Living...Just How Difficult?

Thanks for coming by the blog site for Beth El Jacob of Des Moines.

This is the photo of A. J. Jacobs.  A. J. is the fellow who wrote the best selling book, "The Know It All" by reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in an effort to become the worlds smartest man...

We're not sure if it worked for him...because his next adventure was to attempt to live his life by following every rule in the Bible.  No kidding.  His latest book is called, "The Year of Living Biblically".  Hence the change in his appearance. 

He avoided getting his hair cut, wore white clothing, and even had the opportunity to stone a person who admitted to committing adultery.

And, yes...A. J. Jacobs is Jewish.

We've got to hand it to him...it is a great publicity stunt for what he calls a very extreme makeover.  But, if you read his interviews and his BLOG he remains dismissive about his religious beliefs.  He tells the world he is an agnostic. 

However, in some areas it has, he said, changed his life.  He doesn't look at the world the same way he did prior to his year of living biblically.

How could it be?  Once we seriously internalize the Torah...it is hard to look at anything, even our own actions in the same light.

Of course, one thing that A. J. missed in all of this is that there are many commandments in the Torah we can keep.  There is no Temple, not every Jew lives in Israel, we are not all members of the priestly class, etc.  So, trying to keep ALL the commandments isn't expected or even necessary.

However, the story Mr. Jacobs tells reminds me of Jews I've met over the years who believe the only way to become religious is to dive in, all the way and in one huge jump.  But, in the end, that complete change in lifestyle is often too much for a person and they come away from the experience less religious than when they went in.

So, maybe my friend Rabbi Levi Goldstein (L) has it right when he suggests the idea of "One More Mitzvah".  Pick one...work on it...and then...pick another.  During the much longer involvement you'll find that the Mitzvot can become internalized...and be a life-spring of strength.

Thanks for reading...

See you in Shul!