Jewish Life - Des Moines, Iowa

We So Easily Forget - Parsha Beshalach - Ex. 13:17 - 17:16

2011-01-14T16:07:48-06:00

I enjoy visiting with my rabbi and learning. Having the opportunity to look into the Torah and come away with a lesson that is for today. Those who read and think of the Torah only as a document of yesterday miss so much...

Pharaoh has relented and sent Moses and Israel out of Egypt. But in a final act of depravity sends his army to anilate the former slaves. But, as so many times before and to come G-d steps in and it is the evil which is destroyed and Israel witnesses another miracle and they sing praises... "Who is like You among the heavenly powers, Hashem!"

It's a happy bunch... But it doesn't last long.

Soon the people cry out for water and they protested that they had nothing to drink. G-d provides. One minute G-d is saving the people with a major event and the next he provides water. Water that the people could have found using their own devices but G-d is showing them that He is involved in not only amazing miracles but also the day-to-day events.

They get happy again...but soon, "The entire assembly of the Children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the WIlderness." Notice for a moment...the "entire" assembly. Not one remembered the greatness of G-d and their faith fell away. "If only we had died by the hand of Hashem in the land of Egypt, as we sat by the pot of meat, when we ate bread, but you have taken us out to this Wilderness to kill us all by famine."

Now the people have forgotten the bitter slavery and replaced it with "pots of meat and bread".

We haven't changed much. We get caught up in the trials of the day and we forget the blessings we've been given. One small detour and we whine and complain and forget of all the goodness that life gives us. Yesterday was a blessing...today stinks. That's not the way we should be. I'm reminded of that each time I visit with my rabbi. He's had lots of lousy stuff happen to him over the past year but each time I ask, "Hey boss, how's it going?" His answer is, "Thank G-d, it's going well."

You see, he "gets it". G-d has a plan for us and each day we're called to execute that plan to praise and glorify His name... When we remember to do that...we forget about the stuff that's not so important.

Shabbat Shalom...

This blog is not affiliated with any congregation in Des Moines or Iowa.

Parsha Bo & Tucson, Arizona

2011-01-10T19:45:14-06:00

I'd fallen behind in my learning and so when I spent some time with my rabbi last week I wanted to talk about Parsha Bo. For one reason, this parsha was my Father's (alav haShalom) favorite. I really wish that I knew why...but when we would reach this Torah reading my Father would light up and he seemed to study every word. I never asked...I wish I did...

My rabbi and I spent several minutes talking about that first word "Bo" or Come. G-d says to Moses, "Come to Pharaoh for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants so that I may place these signs in his midst."

It's an interesting choice of words. If you or I were giving directions like this we would have said, "Go to Pharaoh..." Not, "Come to Pharaoh..." So the question must be asked, why would G-d tell Moses to "come" to Pharaoh rather than "go"?

Rabbi Schwarzbaum gave me a one word answer: "Faith". And then said, "G-d was telling Moses that he must not fear because G-d is everywhere even in the house of the despot. So, Moses was not going...but he was coming into the place where G-d resided at that moment in time."

Two days later a terrorist opened fire in Tucson killing six and wounding thirteen. Among the dead Christina Green a nine year-old girl who was born on September 11, 2001.

There are too many connections here, if you are a person of faith. We have the message of the Torah, read in shuls around the world, telling us that G-d is everywhere, "even in the house of the despot". What possible "signs" are in our midst? The murder of a bright girl who was born on a day of fear and terror but lived her brief life with energy and wonder. And the shock of a nation that now looks at how we conduct our political debate with words of hate and loathing which incite the ill.

Are we being reminded of something? Reminded that G-d is everywhere that all life, even those with whom we disagree, is precious? Reminded of what this country was like the day after September 11, 2001 when, with resolve, we stood shoulder to shoulder with a common purpose of a great nation. Reminded that hate breeds hate and what we say, what escapes our mouths, is something we need to pay close attention to?

I think...perhaps.

Our hearts and prayers are with those families. Speedy recovery to all and Refuah Shleimah to our country.

In Torah...

Saying "Goodbye" to a Friend and Teacher...

2010-12-23T08:21:49-06:00

It was a cold, sunless, damp day in Des Moines...and the weather wasn't so hot either. This afternoon I hugged my friend and rabbi, Aaron Schwarzbaum, and wished him well. It's been an amazing six years.

During this time we learned together, made hospital calls together, visited folks in their home, delivered food to members, prayed together, ate together, traveled together and cried together. We welcomed new families to Des Moines, started a day school (small but Torah True) and had fun.

Because of Aaron I became a better Jew and will remain a better Jew. But, I'll miss him. Few people have made such an impact on my life and I know that where he goes from here he will continue to change the lives of people who wish to change. Who wish to become more educated. Who wish to live true to their faith and not the whims of society.

After six years as a pulpit rabbi, others made the decision for him to leave Des Moines. He'll go back to Torah Life and Living a non-profit anti-cult organization that he created which rescues Jews and helps bring them back to Torah. He will be fine. Des Moines is less today...but, he'll be fine.

One other thing: Janice...I love you. You are an amazing woman and a rock for your husband. Thank you for sharing him with me...us.

Only simchas...my friends!

This blog is not affiliated with any religious organization.

Should You "Bargain" with G-d? - A Lesson

2010-10-21T17:43:29-05:00

Over the past two days I've been studying, in short bursts, with my rabbi. Yesterday was the first "Breakfast with the Rabbi" event where we learn the Parsha of the week. Today we spent some time looking into an interesting concept of "Bargaining With G-d".

When you look at the first book of the Torah it strikes you that in the entire book there are only three commandments. Three... Because there are no "wasted words" in all of the Torah why couldn't G-d have included those three commandments in Exodus and left Genesis out of the mix?

Because in Genesis we are told more about "how to live" rather than "what to do". The entire book surrounds the lives of Abraham, Issac & Jacob and tells us the story of how each lived so that we too might mirror their lives. And, in this week's Parsha we are told it's OK to attempt to even bargain with G-d.

G-d has a problem with the people in several (5) cities and so he visits with Abraham asking for his take on the situation. Imagine, G-d asking for advice? What does that small detail tell us? Perhaps that we are in "partnership" with G-d?

Abraham is told, by G-d, that He is going to destroy all the cities and all the people and Abraham suggests that if there might be found fifty people (ten for each city) that G-d might spare them. And, you know the story...the number goes to forty-five, thirty, twenty nd finally...ten. (There is a great story in each of these numbers as well.)

What is it that we learn from this...about our daily life as Jews? Perhaps that we should question and bargain and ask things of G-d. Perhaps that we should, when we are witnessing people doing wrong we should intercede. Perhaps it's never too late to offer heartfelt prayer.

Your choice...

See you in shul...

Invisible People

2010-10-17T09:04:17-05:00

Yesterday on my walk to shul I came up on four men doing concrete work at a local business. Me, dressed in a suit at 8:30 on a Saturday Morning...it's a little for Des Moines...not something people usually see. About fifty-feet away I could hear them talking. Sounded like Spanish, they looked like Hispanic guys...so my hunch is, they were.

When I got within ten or fifteen feet they stopped talking and working. Stood and cast their eyes to the ground. I waved. They did not respond. They were trying to become invisible.

I've seen that same reaction before but only in the movies. Movies about slaves and slave owners, movies about Nazi Germany and Jews who were trying to become "invisible" under the gaze of the SS.

The Invisible People...they are everywhere.

They work construction, hospitality, food processing...and they are fearful of "The Suit". "Who is this "white-man" dressed up on an early Saturday Morning? Was he INS? Were there others? What if he stops and asks me for my "papers"?"

It bothered me...a lot. Folks like Congressman Steven King (R-IA) will tell you we should ship them all "back across the border" along with their "anchor babies". Really? That is our answer? That is the answer of a country that looks towards the statue in New York that inscribed with these words by, fellow Jew Emma Lazarus: "Give me your tired, your poor Your huddled masses yearning to breath free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." The only door King and others like him see...has bars. Others who "want their country back" side with guys like King and continue to spread the lie that "Illegals are taking our jobs". Really? That is your answer? I get weary and ashamed.

In some ways I find the more observant I become the more liberal I am becoming. You see, I think there is a religious ethic here that my friends on "The Fringe" have decided doesn't count. "...kindness to the stranger for you too were a stranger in a strange land". (Deut. 10:19) Kindness doesn't get downcast eyes.

I'm having trouble with this one kids...how about you?

See you in Shul!

This blog is not associated with any congregation or non-profit group...my thoughts alone.

ADL Lists Top 10 Anti-Israel Groups in U.S.

2010-10-15T09:30:18-05:00

It's a sign of the times and too bad we have to mention this. Yesterday the Anti-Defamation League released the top ten anti-Israel groups to the media. It's a "who's who" list of Israel Bashers known for distorting the truth. Here is the news release:

The Anti-Defamation League on Thursday published its list of the 10 most influential and active anti-Israel groups in the United States, a compilation including one organization led by American Jews.

“While there are hundreds of groups that organize and participate in various anti-Israel activities, we have identified the largest and most well-coordinated anti-Israel groups,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

“These groups are not promoting peace, they are spreading propaganda to assault Israel’s legitimacy. We want to Americans to know who these groups are and what it is they really stand for, which is to delegitimize the Jewish State."

The List:

Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
Al-Awda
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Friends of Sabeel-North America
If Americans Knew
International Solidarity Movement
Jewish Voice for Peace
Muslim American Society
Students for Justice in Palestine
U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli OccupationT

Thought you might like to know...

See you in Shul!

Wendy Weiner & Iowa

2010-09-29T16:43:50-05:00

Welcome to Jewish in Des Moines an unaffiliated posting about living Jewish in the Middle of the Midwest. As always your comments, questions are welcome here and on Twitter, I monitor @JewishDesMoines.

Last week, my rabbi told me a family had come to town and used the guest house on an overnight trip to the city. It's not uncommon as travelers often come by to daven and stay with us a day or two. I didn't think anything of it until my friend Wendy Bernstein sent me a note about a Wendy Weiner, the un-named visitor, and exactly why she was in Des Moines. It's a story about the Iowa Film Office, being Jewish and some disturbing actions by judges and the Iowa Attorney Generals office...and, we've seen much of this before in the trial of Rabbi Shalom Rubashkin. Here is the story of Ze'eva Rochel bas Chaya, from her Blog - Why Wendy.

I'll warn you...it's shocking.

In August 2008 my feature film production company was invited to take part in a new and exciting film program in Iowa, which is my parent's home state. The Iowa Legislature recognized that encouraging local film and television production could provide much needed jobs and a broader tax base. At that time, the Legislators and the Governor had recently enacted a rebate program that offered producers and investors a return of HALF of the money we spent in Iowa -- all qualified expenditures -- and they were seeking partners to help them build an infrastructure for film and television production. We were selected and encouraged to do as much business as possible to help Iowa get the program off the ground.

Every step of the process we sought advice from our attorneys and accountants and received approval from the designated State officials to make sure we were meeting the requirements of the program. We completed our project and in December 2008 we were awarded every single dollar that we had been anticipating, and ENCOURAGED to bring more business like ours to Iowa! At the behest of the State officials, we filed applications for future projects and made plans to invest significantly in two different sound stages in Council Bluffs and Newton, where economic development of film production would make a HUGE impact on the community.

The film incentive program was shut down by the Governor in September 2009 due to government's mismanagement of the program, and in an election year, the Governor needed an outsider to blame for the issues. He and the Prosecutors have selected me and my project. I have been charged with 15 felony counts for doing EXACTLY what I was told to do, and if convicted, G-d forbid, I face 25 years in prison.

This same Prosecutor brought the child labor charges against Rabbi Rubashkin, and asked me about my relationship to them. I suspected anti-Semitism might be the reason for these charges, especially when there are 25 other similar projects who did what we had done. Then, the former Judge scheduled my pre-trial hearing on Rosh Hashana because "Rosh Hashana is not a State holiday in Iowa, therefore she has to appear".

HaShem has given me an incredible challenge to PROVE my innocence and as Reb Michel Twerski's bracha concluded, "To be victorious!"

I work every minute of every day to face these horrible charges the way the Spinka Rebbe instructed me to: B'Simcha. Everything HaShem does for us is good...and should be celebrated. What a task!

Fighting these charges is exhausting, and on top of it all I need to raise a great deal of money to pay my attorneys to protect me. Our four children deserve a Mom by their side at their Bar and Bas Mitzvahs, chasunahs, the birth of their children and all of life's challenges.

Please help me with your tzedaka, your tefillah, and acts of chesed because Avinu Malkenu is listening to our prayers.

Thank you

Wendy

Ze'eva Rochel bas Chaya

Here is the link to her blog.

As we enter Simchat Torah...let's ponder this story and do the right thing. If even half of her story is true...we've got some serious issues in Iowa. That and the fact that I know Matt Whitaker, her attorney, and he is as good as they come. What do you think?

Springfield, New Jersey Yeshiva

2010-08-01T10:55:26-05:00

And the learning continues!! Here we make welcome the young men from the Springfield, New Jersey Yeshiva. Great guys to learn with and they have helped swell our numbers for Minyan each day. Here they are with the guys from Peekskill, NY. How about this for a great photo of young men who have come "West" to teach and learn? Wait! Who is that "old guy" in the back? Jess Bernstein? Is that you? ;-)

Our concern continues to be..."What happens when these guys leave in a couple of weeks?" Who will step up and help make the minyan in Des Moines?

It's something we think about on a regular basis. But, for now...things are good...very good.

Let's meet the guys in this video:

Also, this past Shabbos we had the pleasure of meeting Gary Coleman the Executive Director of the Cleveland Hillel. He and his family were passing through Des Moines on their way...West! Remember, that's Hill City, SD, Custer State Park, Deadwood, of course Rushmore and if you have time...head over to Wounded Knee. Have a safe trip and come back to see us again! (Sorry I didn't have my camera...) Hey, Gary: When you get back say hello to our friendMarcie Berkson!

In Torah!

Peekskill Yeshiva - Torah Studies in Des Moines

2010-07-25T23:24:23-05:00

This week we got to welcome our second group of young men who have come to Des Moines to spread the joy of study. Last week we introduced you to the guys from the Scranton, PA Yeshiva...this time we've greeting folks from the Peekskill, New York Yeshiva...

That's Rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum with the guys because of his love of Torah and study he has made these adventures possible. Thanks Rabbi Aaron!

If you want more information shoot me an e-mail or comment on this post,

In Torah....

The Pain of War...

2010-07-25T08:26:31-05:00

This past week the United States learned that two American's were captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan today (Sunday) we learned that one has been killed. Here is the story from CNN.

Imagine the pain of the parents of these young men. Imagine the pain and the fear and the hurt.

Imagine...

And, while there, consider the pain the family and friends of Gilad Shalit have experienced for four very long years as this young IDF soldier sits in some filth hole in Gaza held by the cowards of Hamas. Hamas who denies even a visit by the "noble" International Red Cross.

I am sorry for the families and friends of all these brave soldiers who are trying to do their job there...and here.

The pain...continues.