Temple News

Congratulations to our High School Seniors:
Celebrate Their Achievements on Friday, May 4

DAHLIA CALLISTEIN is the much-loved daughter of Gabrielle and Steve Callistein and the fabulous big sister of Benjamin. She simultaneously graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Central Academy and Roosevelt High School. She will be attending a small liberal arts college in the Northwest, but is yet undecided on which one! Her varied interests and talents include the visual arts, Spanish, violin, Central American life and culture, intersectional feminism and creative writing.

GABRIELLE ROSE DUBANSKY, daughter of Robert and Peggy Dubansky will graduate from Valley High School on May 27th, 2018. Gabbi has been active in Model UN, Silver Cord, Best Buddies, photography, writing, and art. She will start her first year of Iowa State University this fall and plans to study English, Environmental Science, and Art.

HANNA KAUFMAN, daughter of Rabbi David and Julie, is a senior at Roosevelt High school. She is very involved and is currently in Varsity Show Choir, Acapella Vocal Jazz Choir, Chamber Choir, Bridges 2 Harmony Gospel Choir, Thespians, Color Guard, and Swim Team. She is the choreographer for JV show choir and the student director for Varsity Show Choir as well. Hanna will be attending the University of Iowa’s Honors Program in the fall, and will be majoring in Human Health and Physiology and potentially double majoring in Music Therapy. Hanna would like to be a physical therapist when she graduates. This summer she will be a lifeguard, as her passion is helping others get better.

ELIZABETH KIRSNER, daughter of Richard and Mary Kay Kirsner, will graduate from Roosevelt High School on May 26, 2018. Elizabeth has been active in various musical programs at Roosevelt participating in the Show Choir and is a member of the Chamber Choir and the Bridges 2 Harmony gospel choir. She has played tennis on the Roosevelt woman’s team and is a captain of the 2018 Varsity Women’s Tennis team. In addition to her academic studies, Elizabeth has continued to study the piano and is a previous 1st Place Winner, State Level D2, of the Iowa Music Teachers Association’s competition. Elizabeth plans on studying Environment Science in college with a minor in music performance. She will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall.

KAYLA LAUFENBERG, daughter of Cathie and Lonny Laufenberg and granddaughter of Don and Ronna Pochter, is graduating from Valley High School on May 27, 2018. Kayla plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall of 2018. Kayla will pursue a degree in nursing. During her years at Valley, Kayla was on the Valley track team. She was also a cheerleader for Valley football, basketball and wrestling.

SPENCER LAUFENBERG, the son of Cathie and Lonny Laufenberg and grandson of Don and Ronna Pochter, is graduating from Valley High School on May 27, 2018. Spencer plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall of 2018. Spencer will major in Business Administration and Accounting. During his years at Valley, Spencer took numerous business and entrepreneurial classes with business mentors and hands on experience.

COLIN SILVERSTEIN, son of David and Andrea Silverstein will graduate from Waukee High School on May 21, 2018. Colin has participated in Waukee’s APEX program where he studied Finance and Banking as well as Exercise and Sports Science. Colin plays hockey for the Des Moines Oak Leafs. He will attend DMACC Ankeny in the fall.

JOSH SOBEL, son of Maria and Phil, graduated early from from Johnston High School in December of 2017. He enjoyed playing on the tennis and basketball teams at various times during his high school experience. Josh has been successfully maintaining employment at Home Depot for the past two years, and he plans to continue his career there until further notice.

BEN STONE, son of David and Wendy Stone, is a student at Roosevelt High School. During his time there, he was involved in swimming, band, drumline, theater, show choir band, pit orchestra, and National Honor Society. Ben plans on attending the University of Iowa next year and double majoring in Computer Science and Percussion Performance.

Temple B’nai Jeshurun is a welcoming community and one of the efforts we make is to greet those that join us for our Friday night Shabbat Services.  Meeting our congregants and visitors “panim el panim” (face to face) fosters a genuine and authentic connection with that person.  

Greeters have an opportunity to make a first impression on visitors to our community, showing that someone is present and open to their needs.  Greeters contribute to a welcoming congregational culture and lay a foundation for the rest of the congregation to connect and create meaning with one another.

Temple congregants can sign up to be a Shabbat Greeter by clicking on the SignUp.com button below:

Your role as a Shabbat Greeter: To be a Temple ambassador and welcome all those who enter the Temple. At 5:30 pm during the wine and cheese reception, manage the Welcome Table that is positioned at the entrance to the Social Hall. Welcome each individual and have them make a name tag. If the person in visiting for the first time, take a minute to welcome them and obtain basic information using a Temple contact card. During the wine and cheese reception, meet with others and answer any questions they may have or refer them to certain marketing pieces that are available (new members brochure, new members application, complimentary copy of the Bulletin, etc.). At 6:00 pm, walk with individuals to the Sanctuary and assist by handing out Shabbat programs or making sure prayer books are available to all. At the end of services, assist in organizing the Sanctuary and Social Hall for the next day (all Shabbat programs are picked-up, all prayer books are placed in pews, any trash is addressed, etc.).

Thank you for volunteering as a Shabbat Greeter! The Temple Board appreciates your time and effort dedicated to this important role. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to be a Temple ambassador by greeting our Temple guests to Shabbat services.

Rabbi Kaufman’s High Holiday Sermons can be found along with other of the Rabbi’s thoughs on Israel and Current Events in the Jewish World on his Blog – “Rabbi’s Reasons”

The Temple community has been invited to join Temple Judah of Cedar Rapids for an Iowa trip to Israel.  Rabbi Todd Thalblum of Temple Judah and Rabbi Kaufman plan to go on the trip which will take place June 9-18, 2018.  The trip is designed to be an introductory trip to Israel, visiting the major sites.  For more information visit the Trip Website, or contact Rabbi Kaufman for more information.

You can now make donations to one of our funds in honor, in memory, for the recovery of, etc on our website.  We have also added the ability to purchase Yarhzeit Plaques and a Leaf or a Stone on our Tree of Life.  

Check out the new “Giving” menu item to find out more about these opportunities to support the Temple.

Donations/purchases made through our website are processed using PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use PayPal.  PayPal allows you to use a credit card or debit card to make a donation without a PayPal account.