MONTHLY MESSAGES

When her first grandchildren, William and Mary, were born in 2012, my sister asked my mom, Beth Muenchrath, to write down her life story. After she passed away on January 19^th, 2025, I decided to go to the Botanical Garden and reread that story. When I read it, nothing struck me more than the last line she wrote. It was in reference to her recent retirement from nursing and newly becoming a grandmother, “I don’t see this as an end, but a new beginning.”

She wrote those words 13 years ago, when I had just started working at the Temple, was expecting my first child, William, and was looking forward to becoming an uncle to my niece, Mary.  I don’t think she could have ever known how applicable those words would be for me when I read them. Now 13 years later, as I, as we prepare for my departure as Executive Director of the Temple, I hope that we all “see this (not) as an end, but a new beginning.”

Reading her autobiography, I started to wonder what I will be remembered for. Will it be for something I am proud of, or will it be for something more trivial? Like my mother, I am very proud of the work I have done at the Temple. Helping oversee our 2014-2016 renovation to the lower level, and being one of the first organizations in Iowa to receive a Homeland security grant to protect our building will always stand out as highlights for me, just as my mother’s nursing accolades will stand out for her.   

My mother was definitely proud of her career as a nurse, and should be, but my siblings and I always remember the night she came home from working in the ER and asked my siblings if they knew who Ozzy Osbourne was. She was the admitting nurse the night Ozzy allegedly bit the head off a real bat in Des Moines, looked at his tongue and determined he would need rabies shots. Of all the things my mother did as a nurse, this was not one of the things she was very proud of, but we as kids thought this was so rad!

Maybe, I will be remembered for the big things I’ve done, or maybe I will be remembered for something weird and trivial too, either way I know that will be okay with me. I just hope that my time here at the Temple will be remembered as a blessing for the community.

Because I haven’t done it yet, I want to thank everyone that has reached out to me these last few months whether that was for my decision to leave my position or after hearing the news of my mother’s passing. Those messages have meant a great deal to me.

May the memory of Helen “Beth” Muenchrath always be for a blessing, and again may we all see the next few months not as an end, but as a new beginning for us all.

David Muenchrath

Executive Director   

In the early fall bulletin, I explained why I think fall, and not spring, is the season of beginning and tied it to Wendy’s retirement. This time, I could easily use the more common cliché about spring and new beginnings because we will be soon saying goodbye to our Executive Director. As you know, David is leaving us after 13 years to spend more time with his family. He has our deep gratitude and appreciation for his lengthy service and commitment to TBJ. Watch the Temple weekly emails for information about a farewell event so we can all thank him in person.

This opening provides an opportunity for a complete evaluation of our current staffing and a discussion of our needs and wants going forward. The Board’s Executive Committee along with Erin and Charles are working together to determine what that looks like. Erin and Charles are both vital members of TBJ, and we all greatly value their work. Their input in this process is important as we want to ensure their continued commitment to us and make clear our commitment to them. As we reach conclusions, we will, of course, inform all of you. Should you have questions or comments at any point, please reach out to me at president@tbjdsm.org.

To repeat another theme from my early fall article, take the time to read through this bulletin and notice all the events that are happening for the TBJ and Des Moines Jewish community this spring. From a hamantaschen Havdalah and A Very Wicked Purim to the Rabbi’s adult education classes and the annual Temple seder, there is a lot going on! That doesn’t include the Federation’s events, of which there are many as well. As you can see, we are a vibrant community that enjoys spending time together. I hope you will attend one or many of these events not only to be with people you know but to meet our new members who are quick to get involved. And, as always, if there is something you want to do, please reach out to a board member or the Rabbi – not for approval but for support and encouragement of your interests.

While that was looking ahead, I ask your indulgence as I look backwards for a moment. On January 18, my youngest son Aaron became a Bar Mitzvah at TBJ. The support of this community for him and our family was incredible. Many attended the service to witness this milestone, and, in my favorite moment, to spontaneously applaud him after his D’var Torah, which (mom brag alert!) was pretty darn great. Some attendees gave him a card and a gift, and a few who didn’t even attend mailed a card to him. We were moved by everyone’s generosity of time and treasure, especially since I know it wasn’t just because I am currently the president. These outpourings of support happen here all the time with life cycle events. We are a congregation of people who support each other in good times and bad; who show up; who give; who spend time; who care. It has nothing to do with our building or our location; it’s because that is what being part of the TBJ family – and that is the right word – means. On behalf of Aaron, Scott, Terry and me, thank you all so very much.

Emily Kruse