Musicians of TBJ
Ira Lacher, Cantorial Soloist
Since 2010, Ira Lacher, accompanied by accomplished guitarist Sam Miller, has led congregants in musical worship for Shabbat, High Holy Days and other festivals along with life-journey occasions.
A Temple member with his wife, Lisa, since 1991, Ira began singing at the Temple with the newly formed adult volunteer choir in 1993, and continued in choirs led by Cantor Lisa Levine and Cantorial Soloist Laura Berkson.
The Bronx, New York, native has also written, produced and directed a number of Temple Purimspiels, and can be seen throughout the metro area performing old-time radio shows with the Des Moines Community Playhouse troupe the Final Act Ensemble.
Sam Miller – Cantorial Accompanist
Sam Miller has been performing music professionally for over thirty years. In the 1990s he was a founding member of the blues/rock band, The Accidental Sisters, who composed all original material, receiving local critical acclaim.
In the 2000s he founded The 2nd Avenue Jazz Band. He performs as a solo guitar/vocalist, fusing Tin Pan Alley, Great American Songbook, delta blues, contemporary, and original tunes for coffee houses, taverns, receptions, and senior centers.
Since 2010 he has been a Cantorial Accompanist at Temple B’nai Jeshurun, performing Shabbat services, holidays, and life-cycle events. Sam has also sat in the band pit of several Temple Purim Spiels, provided entertainment at various Jewish Food Fairs, and coordinated two seasons of Beit Café. In 2025 he debuted an original composition of Erev Shabbat liturgical music, some piece now played regularly for weekly services.
Chuck Kuba – Upright Bass
Chuck Kuba has been a professional musician since 1967 when he toured internationally as a bass player and conductor for Up With People, including two weekends of standing room only performances at Carnegie Hall and recording sessions at RCA in California and national television broadcasts on NBC.
His Jewish Music career began as the resident conductor for Cantor Lisa Levine at Temple Shalom in Dallas, Texas and later for Cantor Michael Weiser at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Lincoln, Nebraska. After moving to Des Moines, he enthusiastically accepted the chance to conduct the choir here at this B’nai Jeshurun when the opportunity presented itself. He also plays bass at services when possible and had been known to lead services with Laura Sparks z”l at times when the Rabbi was out of town. Chuck also served on the Temple Board and Executive Committee for many years and, with Abe Goldstein, he is one of the two surviving original members of the Java Jews Klezmer Band.
Chuck is a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America and the founder and president of Iowa Diamond which makes the above activities possible.