Jewish Life - Des Moines, Iowa

Lennny Solomon & Shlock Rock - Des Moines

This Shabbos we have a special program with the founder and front-man of Shlock Rock, Lenny Solomon.  Solomon will be our Scholar in Residence starting on Friday night as he presents his case on "The Spiritual & Halachic Implications of Using Non-Jewish Music in Davening".

Shlock Rock is a Jewish band started by Lenny Solomon in 1986.  Since that time the band has released 30 CD's covering all types of music from parody to original and children's tunes.  They have appeared on national radio and television and this Shabbos they will be at Beth El Jacob of Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information on the event head to this Beth El Jacob Link!

Hope to see you this weekend at the Orthodox Congregation of Des Moines and Iowa.

See you in Shul!

We Can Learn Much From Abraham...

Last night at Beth El Jacob we had a wonderful event full of joy and warmth as we honored four individuals with at the Fifth Annual Tribute Dinner and Gala.  (We'll soon post photos on our site. At right is the Blair Family accepting the Award of Merit on behalf of Jack Blair (OBM) a wonderful guy!) The event centered on service being the best work of life and...it is.  But that's not all.

There is much more and for starters service to G-d is truly the best work of life.  We've talked about this many times over the years, while tikkun olam or "repairing the world is admirable what good is it if we don't attempt to keep the commandments of G-d? 

Abraham understood this and while his focus was on being hospitable and warm and friendly he also focused on being strong for G-d.  Abraham, for all his warmth, was also fiercely committed to doing not simply charity...but also justice.  (Gen. 18:19) "For I have loved him (Abraham), because he commands his children, and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem, doing charity and justice..." 

So, before we get lost in or caught up in "doing good" let's all remember that the focus should be on our task to honor G-d by keeping His commandments.  Only then will our efforts bear fruit that is truly lasting.

Keep the "good stuff" coming.

See you in Shul!

 

 

 

2009 Awards Dinner and Gala

Make plans now to attend the event scheduled for November 1 starting at 4:00pm as we honor four individuals from the Jewish and non-Jewish Community for their efforts on behalf of our shul and the community at large.

This year the Rob Borsellino Community Service Award goes to Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines. Senator Hatch was selected by the Board of Trustees to receive this award based on his work on health care issues, housing efforts, groundwater protections and speaking on behalf of those without strong political or economic voices. Senator Hatch was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 1985 and served until being named by United State Senator Tom Harkin as State Director.  He returned to the Iowa Legislature in 2000.  He has been a tireless worker in the area of health care and the environment.

Senator Hatch joins four others who have received this award: 

2005 - Rob Borsellino- Then known as the BEJ Community Service Award for his work as a writer for the Des Moines Register giving voice to so many without political power.

2006 - Christy Vilsack - For her work as First Lady of Iowa and a number of literacy projects.

2007 - Judge Odell McGee - For his work in serving families and being a positive role model for the entire community.

2008 - Ralph Rosenberg - For his work in politics and as the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.

The Rob Borsellino Community Service Award is named after the first recipient and Des Moines Register writer who often wrote about individuals who lacked the political power of the elite.  He would often lift up the story of folks who may have been "down and out" on their luck but never in their spirit.  His writings inspired many and he is remembered fondly as a good friend of Beth El Jacob.

Beth El Jacob will also honor, with the Beth El Jacob Award of Merit, Jack Blair (OBM) and James Blair.  Jack and James came to this country in 1938 and have been active in the congregation for decades.  Overcoming adversity to become solid community and business leaders, the Board of Trustees chose them for this prestigious honor.  When Jack was living he was an active member of the Board and James continues to attend services on a regular basis.  Award recipients from past programs:

2005 - Ronald "Uby" and Rosita Rabinovitz

2006 - Mike Blank

2007 - Harlan & Helen Lekowsky

2008 - Jacob & Paula Waizman

And, for the second time we will be giving an award called Friend of Beth El Jacob.  This  award goes to Officer Mark Miller of the Des Moines Police Department.  Officer Miller, a member of the K-9 corps of the Department has assisted Beth El Jacob for years in his role as a police officer and in presenting programs of interest to our members.  Mark Miller is a true friend of Beth El Jacob joins Dan Hartzer the award winner from 2008.   

Tickets to the dinner and the event are now available by calling our office at 515-274-1551.  Ticket prices are $54 for adults, $25 for children under 12 and $75 for dinner and a greeting line in the honor booklet.

 

 

 

Klassic Kars & Kosher Food

What a great time the people had!  On Sunday the Beth El Jacob Men's Guild sponsored Klassic Kars and Kosher Food for the first, but judging from the turn out...not the last time!  A big, big THANK YOU to all the folks who brought their classic cars.  We had expected 15 and we ended up with 30 beautiful vehicles for our event.  (For photos follow this link to our website.  You'll be viewing Klassic Kars & Kosher Food!) 

So many of the people who came made the comment that they liked the Sunday event because so many of the vehicle owners work on Saturday.  So...it's a match!

In addition to serving hot dogs, chips and drinks we also sold honey cake and round challah...in honor of Rosh Hashannah.  It gave us the opportunity to share with people who had never met an Orthodox Jew a little about our faith.  And, because the shul was open, people had the chance for a peek inside.

In all it was a wonderful community event that could not have happened without the help of so many great people.  Hey Des Moines...let's cook this up again next year?

See you in shul!

 

 

 

 

 

Iowa Republicans & Iowa Democrats

Last month we featured an article that brought to light the issue of holding the Iowa Caucus for 2010 on a Saturday.  Both parties, in an attempt to increase attendance in an "off year" caucus, voted in favor of the event.  We were told the parties looked at doing the event on a Sunday afternoon but decided against it.

Saturday is Shul Day for Jews all across Iowa.  For the major political parties to agree to hold a major event on Shabbos Afternoon is a disenfranchisement of all Jews.  No matter where they attend or do not attend.

We're asking for your help in asking the parties to change the date and move it off of Shabbos. 

Is it important?  Well, you might remember that Obama won the Democratic Caucus which propelled him into the White House.  Had he not secured that momentum it's likely he would not have been President.  Important?

We think it is important for Democrats and Republicans to come together and support a move off of the Sabbath.

Iowa Republican Party - Jeffy Boeyink, Executive Director or Matt Strawn, Chair:  621 East 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 - 515-282-8105

Iowa Democratic Party - Norm Sterzenback, Executive Director or Michael Kiernan, Chair:  5661 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321 - 515-244-7292

Thanks and see you in SHUL.... 

 

Iowa Dems & GOP Keep Jews Away From Caucus?

The Iowa Democratic Party and the Iowa Republican Party today announced they will hold the 2010 Iowa Caucus on a Saturday afternoon rather than during a weeknight.  Their goal, according to the Des Moines Register, is to boost caucus attendance during an "off election year".

Nice going...  Saturday is the Sabbath for observant Jews so looks like that is one segment of the Iowa population that won't be going.  Keeping the Jews out...maybe that was the "caucus reform" they have been talking about for a couple of years? 

Meanwhile, new political editor Kathie Obradovich gushes, "That's a really good idea and it will serve as a great test before the next presidential-year caucuses in 2012."

It's great to be...inclusive.

Maybe because most Orthodox or Observant Jews tend to lean "right" it was a ploy put into motion by the Iowa Democrats?  Who knows...but clearly somebody missed the Memo...  We've only been celebrating the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week for.....what.....a couple of years anyway...  Yikes!

See you in shul...

 

Selling Des Moines...

Following services this past Shabbat I sat across the Kiddish table from a woman who had grown up in Des Moines, moved away at a young age and came back from New York to visit her 87 year old father.  She is frum and living in New York.  She looked at me and said, "So, what is there to see and do in Des Moines?"  She asked the question like she had never been here.  And, in truth, she's been gone for over 35 years and in that time Des Moines has changed from a sleepy little town to a city that is full of promise and opportunity.

And that is the "sell".

Last month Rabbi Aaron, Janice and four of their children were in New York City at the Orthodox Union - Emerging Communities and Job Fair.  (Also present were congregations from Dallas, Houston and Detroit....we thought it was "emerging communities"?)

And clearly, by looking at the other Jewish Communities involved Des Moines was a real long shot...  It's not that "bigger" is always "better" it is about fighting the unknown of Iowa and Des Moines. 

To many of the over 600 people who attended the event, seeking a new beginning and a way out of the congestion and mind-bending "largeness" of New York City, Des Moines was a virtual unknown.  "Oh, Iowa?  Just where is that?"  It's something we heard time and time again.  It's pretty easy to figure out where Houston is, "...someplace south, right?"  But clearly, Iowa...and for sure Des Moines...remains a mystery to a vast majority of the Orthodox Jews we encountered.

But we're changing that.  If you are one of the many people who read this blog on a regular basis you've come to realize there is "Life West of the Hudson" and that Des Moines is not only a great place to raise a family but it's also loaded with positives like jobs, culture, affordable housing, time and a warmth you'll never find in the larger urban settings.

"Wait!  Did he say, 'time'?" 

Yes...here people don't lose two hours out of their day on a commute.  If you work only five days a week, commuters in major cities lose at least ten hours.  Forty hours a month 480 hours each year.  Just going to work and coming home.  Think of what you and your family could be doing with an additional...month.

But, it's hard to see from long distance so here is our invite.  Contact us...let us help you better understand our quality of life.  Let us help you understand how each member of our shul really counts.  Let us explain the economics of living well within your means and still being able to walk to shul. 

I'm easy to contact, MichaelBenDovid@BethElJacob.org.  Let's visit?

Now, I've got to print out directions to a couple of fantastic "things to do" for my transplanted new friend.  Living History Farms?  The Iowa Cubs?  The Iowa Historical Building?  The Iowa State Capital?  The Iowa Art Center?  Decisions...decisions...  I hope they have enough...time.

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!