MONTHLY MESSAGES

As you will likely know before you read this, my father, Robert (Bob) Muenchrath, passed away on Saturday January 20^th. Once again, I want to thank the Temple staff and all the members for the outpouring of support that my family and I received. This time would have been so much more difficult if I did not work for a community that understands how challenging and consuming these moments in life can be.

My father will be laid to rest on Friday February 16^th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, my family has asked if you would like to send a memorial, please send one to the Temple general fund. For me, the Temple has been like a second home, and the staff and community have felt like a second family.  I am so happy that my family agreed that this was the perfect place for you to send memorials.

Thankfully, things have been relatively quiet here at the Temple as all of this occurred. We just came out of one of the worst winter storms we have had in quite some time. I am so grateful that we have the technology to allow everyone to stay home during the worst of this weather and still connect for Shabbat, though I would have loved to have seen Rabbi Schuster’s dog join us for services when he had to lead them from home.

Also, in case you are wondering we do once again have a working air conditioner for our sanctuary. We did test it out when it was installed, but I don’t think we will have to use it for at least a few more months.   

Before we have a chance to really test out our new air conditioner, I hope to see many of you at our 150^th Anniversary Celebration on February 24^th. We have so much history to celebrate and so many things to be grateful for. I am looking forward to it and seeing many of you there, so I can tell you in person “Thank you!” for all you have done for my family and me.

David Muenchrath

Executive Director   

While fall is my favorite season, thanks to an October birthday and being a marching band geek, I am also much more of a fan of winter than summer. There are so many things to do in the winter both inside and out that are appealing. Being cold is infinitely preferable to me than being hot. Realizing I am usually in the minority with this opinion, I don’t express it too frequently. That said, one thing most Iowans agree on is that it can be hard to gather in the winter as a desire to hunker down can make it difficult. That is precisely the reason we (re)scheduled the Temple’s 150^th celebration for February 24. It is the perfect time to come together as a congregation to recognize this momentous milestone. There will be yummy appetizers, desserts, and drinks including a champagne toast to our previous 150 years and good wishes for the next 150; wonderful live music from our very own Chuck Kuba, Sam Miller and others; and, most of all, a chance to schmooze and celebrate with each other, which I believe is sorely needed now. Everyone deserves a night out and this is a great one to choose.

The celebration is also a fundraiser for the endowment to ensure our future for at least 150 more years. The silent auction will have one-of-a-kind experiences presented for bidding at all price points. For example, Rabbi Neal and his wife are offering pizza and a game night at their house. There are tickets to a show and a behind-the-scenes tour at the Civic Center or Iowa Cubs skybox tickets along with some swag. You can get coffee and bagels with gift cards to Brueggers, Scooters, and Starbucks. Judy and Stuart Shkolnick have donated a weekend at their home in Arizona. This is only a small sample of the almost 40 unique packages you will see that night. Watch the Temple’s emails and Facebook feed for more of the amazing items available. Your generosity when bidding on these items provides funds for the Temple to continue to be our Jewish home for worship, education, and community. Thank you in advance for your support.

This adults-only event is going to be fabulous thanks to the work of the 150^th committee of Edye Beckerman, Judy Deutch, Sharon Goldford, Rachele Hjelmaas, and Miriam Van Heukelem. Get your tickets – $54 per person – from Erin at the Temple Office by February 9. Let her know if you need a ride as we can make that happen. Reach out to me at president@tbjdsm.org with any questions. I am thrilled to be able to commemorate this special occasion with all of you. You won’t want to miss it!

Emily Kruse