Jewish Life - Des Moines, Iowa

Pinchas & Yitzi Schwarzbaum to Israel

This morning, following minyan, we wished Pinchas Schwarzbaum and Yitzi Schwarsbaumthe best as they left for a year of studies in Israel.   This will be the second year in Yishiva for Pinchas and the first for Yitzi.  You might remember this past November when they, their father Rabbi Aaron, brother Mayeer and I traveled to Israel.  For Mayeer, Yitzi and me...it was our first trip.  And you have to read this about our 40 Shekel Miracle!

And, we're hoping to go back sometime this winter for a visit to check on the boys progress.  And, maybe....take others with us?  Plans are in the works anyway.

Yitzi has promised that he'll send back "News from the Homefront" on a regular basis and we'll post his stories and images here.  Come on Yitz...you promised.

We'll miss them both but at the same time we know how important it is for them to get a solid Jewish Education and where better than in Israel?

Tzetech leShalom veShuvech leShalom!

See you in Shul!!

On The Road - Kansas City/Overland Park

This week found me in Overland Park, Kansas (right across the border from Kansas City, MO.) at a conference for a secular client. What a great surprise that less than ten minutes away from the Overland Park Convention Center there is an Orthodox Union congregation where I could daven.  Congregation Beth Israel Abraham Voliner is tucked into a residential area and housed in a former church. Led by Rabbi Daniel Rockoff, it seems to be a well attended congregation.

Weekday morning minyan is at 6:45 and we had a nice group.  On Monday, at the close of services an alarm sounded that sent the minyan looking for the cause.  "An attack?  Terrorists? Fire?"  Turned out it was carbon monoxide.  That set into motion a rush from the building.  Fire department showed up...and today they have pinpointed the problem.

In any other time an incident like this would/could be shrugged off.  But with the concern over militant islamic actions over the justified action in Gaza it brought with it a hightened sense of concern...before we knew what the issue was.

You have to wonder how many other congregations of other faith groups here in Overland Park would first wonder about terrorists...and then a fire.  It's the world we, sadly, live in.

See you in Shul...

Stories From Israel - Ethiopian Jewish Holiday Sigd

Everything about Israel, for a first timer, must be exhilarating.   It was for me.   And on the first Thursday of my trip I was witness to what few, here in the US have seen.  Thousands of Ethiopian Jews standing on hilltops overlooking Jerusalem honored the holiday of Sigd.  The holiday, celebrated 50 days after Yom Kippur or on the 29th of Cheshvan which also happened to be here in the United States,  Thanksgiving.  It was magical...

Thousands, wearing colorful clothing, stood facing the site of the Temple and gave thanks for receiving the Torah, the Jewish return to Jerusalem and asking for forgiveness for any wrongdoings over the past year.

Here is a brief video clip, should you want to get the flavor of the day.

It's one of the interesting miracles about Israel...the mixture of so many people from so many backgrounds.  You see it at the Kotel where Jews from many countries and traditions come together for prayer.

You see it in the military, proud Jews from all over the country serving their nation and understanding how important it is to be of service to not only their faith but also their country.

The Festival of Sigd, one of the many bright and wonderful surprises we experienced in what is truly the Holy Land.

Make no mistake...Israel is not perfect...but it is...ours!

See you in shul!

Stories From Israel - The 40 Shekel Miracle

This is the first of several stories about faith, Israel and our recent trip.  Needless to say it had a profound effect on us...

Giving and receiving Tzadakah (charity) is full time work for those giving and those receiving.  At the Kotel or on the streets individuals, all with a good cause, stand or sit whispering "Tzadakah, Tzadakah...".  Often, when given, the person receiving the money will offer the giver a blessing.  It goes on daily...except of course on Shabbat.

One evening we came upon Tzion.  As we passed him he reached out and gave the familiar call, "Tzadakah...tzadakah...tzadakah..."  We stopped and the three of us gave him a Shekel each.  That's about seventy-five cents.  He looked up and smiled at us and immediately offered a blessing asking God to grant us success and good health.

We continued down the street and about four steps from him and in a small patch of dirt Mayeer noticed something shinny.  It was several coins amounting to forty shekels or ten dollars. 

"Could it be?", we asked each other.  Could it be that in four steps God placed in front of us a choice?  We picked up the coins, retraced our steps and handed them to Tzion.

Our blessing was realized...more than you know. 

See you in shul..

 

Israel Bound...and Thank You!

In just a few hours we'll be jetting over the Atlantic on our way to Israel.  Rabbi Aaron and I are headed to the Orthodox Union conference in Jerusalem which will be held later this week.

It's the trip of a lifetime and I want to thank the Board of Trustees of Beth El Jacob for allowing us to go.

For Aaron this is a return trip...he was born there and traveled to Israel many times.  For me, it's a first.  My brother has been several times, my son, Aaron (below) has been.  For me...never had the opportunity or the ability.  And, that is why this is so special.

Over the next few days I hope to write back here and give you updates and images from the trip.  If you follow on TWITTER...(JewishDesMoines) I'm hopeful we can get that connection made to also give you a flavor of this experience.  We'll see how it goes.

But, for sure I am grateful for those of you, including my rabbi, that has made this possible.  My wife hopes for a safe adventure and return.  Me too.  Thank you for keeping the lights on.

In the meantime, for those of you living in Des Moines and who are Jewish.  I urge you to attend shul to help us continue the minyan.  Services are daily at 7am and 7pm.  I've sent letters to many of you and thanks Yoni and Neil for stepping up.  There will be six of us gone for nearly 10 days.  You count.  Even if you are NOT a member of Beth El Jacob it's critical you come and help out.  We need to maintain a minyan in Iowa...you are that key.

Israel...

See you in shul (in about ten days!)

So...What's It Like In Iowa?

We hear that question all the time from folks who have never visited our state.  It's a fair question so let's talk about it.

Right now, in Iowa, we've got plenty of snow...but who doesn't right?  But, the cool thing about snow here is that it stays white.  Honest.  (I remember growing up in Detroit and if it snowed on Tuesday the white turned a dirty brown by Thursday.  Must have been the city thing.)

In a way that is what Iowa is like.  There is a pureness about this state that seems to last from generation to generation.  I've chided government officials that we should change our state slogan from "Fields of Opportunity" to:  "Iowa - A Great Place to Raise a Family".

It's true.  When we meet somebody from someplace else and they ask about Iowa the common response is to lower our eyes and mutter, "It's a great place to raise a family."  Sort of like we are apologizing.  Can you imagine?  What some places would give to have that kind of response.

Beyond that we have have lots of....space.  There is room to grow, room to learn and room to freely move about.  Imagine corn fields and vineyards just minutes from downtown Des Moines...the capitol city.  There is a sense of freedom here.  Freedom and respectability.

Just a small sample of what it's like here in Iowa.  Take some time and learn for yourself.  Read what our Beth El Jacob rabbi has to say about Des Moines.  Maybe, just maybe, you'll consider making the move.  We'd love to have you.

See you in shul!

Moving "BACK" To Iowa...

Many of you, by now, know that we're engaged in marketing the Des Moines Orthodox Jewish Community to young families living in some of the major cities across the country.

We talk about the great lifestyle, the excellent family opportunities, jobs and how open and accepting our community is.

But, not everybody might believe us.  So, when I was reading some various posts I came up with "What's Wrong With This Picture?" by Mark True.  We thought we'd let him tell the story...

And, recently we heard from our son, Aaron, who has decided to come back to Iowa from San Antonio.  Same story...different person.

See you in Shul!

Hosting Visitors at Beth El Jacob

Here at Beth El Jacob it's always great to have visitors come to spend some time.  They get to know a little more about our shul and we have the honor of being hosts.

This is Yechiel who was traveling from Omaha to "back east".  He's been with us for almost a week. He had not expected to stay around...but last Shabbat he came face to face with new friends.  Here are his words:

Dear Rabbi Schwarzbaum & the "Family" of Beth El Jacob:

When I travel to a town for the first time, I have to say my expectations are low.  "Expect to be unexpected", as they say.  So, when I called Rabbi Schwarzbaum (whom I had never met or spoken with before) and told him I was headed to Des Moines and asked if there would be a place for me to stay for Shabbat my "expectation rule" was shattered.

I got to the terminal Friday morning and there to greet me were three young Jewish men, whom I learned are sons of the rabbi.  We piled my luggage into the car and were off for the shul.

The entire family was there preparing for the community Shabbat dinner that night and they let me pitch in to help.  I went from "guest" to family member in about fifteen minutes.

Shabbat was wonderful, beautiful and meaningful.  Everybody treated me as if I were their long lost brother even though I had never met any of them prior to this day.  We prayed, ate, sang, laughed.   It was enchanting and I joined in with tears of joy.

Following Shabbat I just did not want it to end.  So, I prolonged my time in Des Moines for a couple of days.  Even taking in an Iowa Stars Hockey game this past Tuesday night with members of my Des Moines "family".

One of the "perks" of being "family" is you are always welcome back.  So, as I say goodbye, for now, I know I will always be welcomed back.  Thank you, everybody who made my stay so warm, inviting and wonderful.

Yechiel...

See you in shul!

Sometimes We Meet The Nicest People

Being Jewish in Des Moines means that many folks are simply curious about what goes on at an Orthodox synagogue.  That was the case with two groups who came to the shul this past week.  The Maranatha Church in Ames came with a group of young people on Tuesday.

This is a photo of The New Dimension Club from the Hardin County Savings Bank who came to Des Moines for a cross cultural activity sponsored by the bank this past Thursday.  Our thanks to Joan Riskedahl (far right front row) for sending the photos.

The group came and learned the Orthodox point of view from Rabbi Schwarzbaum (center above) and enjoyed a meal made by Janice Schwarzbaum and her family. 

By using various traditional foods the shul attempted to teach a bit about the holidays and the meals that are customary for most American Jewish homes.  Amazing how folks can connect with a meal.

The travel arrangements that included a visit to several other religious sites in Des Moines was provided by InboundIowa.  Our thanks to Sharon Dixon and we look forward to future bridge building opportunities.

See you in Shul!

"The Commute" - It's Killing You!

This past Shabbat a couple from Maryland visited Beth El Jacob.  They found us by going to our website.

They were traveling across country and remarked how little traffic there was in Des Moines.  Rob told me, "You know, I commute 1.5 hours one way to my teaching job at the university."

That is 15 hours a week Rob is not with his family, 15 hours not being at home, 15 hours of his life, each week...driving.

It's nuts...and I told him so.  He said, "Yes, but Maryland is where I work and that is where the jobs are."  So then we told him about how the Des Moines area will be in need of 60,000 jobs by 2010 and about how Principal Financial is hiring 1,500 people and about Wells Fargo hiring folks in their area.  And...yes, we have colleges here too.  Jobs...we've got 'em.

But, we understand, it's tough to move.  Then, Sunday morning I cam across this story from Forbes Magazine.

The bottom line is that commuters are not only losing time...they are in danger of losing their lives given the pollution, the stress and the "issues" of having so much time behind the wheel.

So, here are a couple of photos of I-235 the road that cuts right through downtown Des Moines.  Granted, these photos were taken today (Sunday) at 11am...so you'll have to add maybe another 30 cars to the image for Monday morning...

The point is, here in Des Moines you're no further than 20 minutes away...from anywhere.  These photos were taken from the 63rd Street Bridge that is one block from Beth El Jacob.

Come on...live a little! 

Oh, and the housing here in Des Moines?  $180,000 - $200,000 for very nice homes blocks from the the synagogue.

See you in shul!