Welcome Home
Tifereth Israel is a warm, welcoming, and thriving egalitarian Conservative congregation in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. Since the synagogue’s founding in 1901, Tifereth has been a spiritual home for generations of Jewish families in Des Moines.
At Tifereth Israel, your spirit will be invigorated by inspirational worship services conducted by our dynamic Rabbi and gifted Cantor. Your mind will be nourished by creative, interactive educational activities. Your soul will be nurtured by a compassionate, supportive, and lively Jewish community. Jewish traditions, old and new, are embraced at Tifereth. We honor diversity in all its forms and welcome to our synagogue Jewish people of all cultural backgrounds as well as interfaith and same-sex couples.
At Tifereth Israel, we look to Judaism to provide meaning and guidance in our daily lives.
At Tifereth Israel, Judaism is personal.
News & Announcements
Spring 2010 Adult Education Classes — Tifereth’s Fall 2009 adult education classes led by Rabbi Edelman-Blank and Cantor Bletstein were very successful! Are you ready to nourish your mind? In the Spring, a series of new classes will be offered by Rabbi Edelman-Blank on modern Jewish ethics. Cantor Bletstein will teach beginners classes on reading Hebrew and chanting Torah and Dr. David Friedgood will lead a class on Maimonides. Spring classes begin January 20th so don’t delay… Register today! For more information, go to the Adult Education page.
Tifereth Book Club — The next meeting of our fabulous book club will be 4:00pm February 21st at Tifereth Israel. We will be discussing Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. See our Book Club page for further information.
Erev Nashim — Join a multi-generational group of Jewish women for a purely social evening of schmoozing and kibitzing while dining at a fabulous local restaurant. This monthly event is a great way to meet and get to know other women. Our next Erev Nashim will be Tuesday February 16th at 6:30pm at Stella’s Blue Sky Diner (3281 100th Street, Urbandale). Hope to see you there!
Save the Date: Purimspiel! — You won’t want to miss the annual Purimspiel! Performances will be Saturday, February 27th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 28th at 1:00 pm at Tifereth Israel.
Save the Date: Cantor’s Concert — This year’s highly anticipated musical concert will feature the beautiful and inspiring voices of our own Cantor Deborah Bletstein and Cantor Meir Finkelstein of Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Southfield, MI. It is scheduled for Sunday, April 25th at 4:00pm at Tifereth Israel. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Tifereth Office at 515.255.1137 at a price of $18 for seniors and students and $36 for general admission.
Tifereth’s Winter Closure Policy — Tifereth will cancel activities, events, and services due to weather when necessary for the safety of our community. Typically, when the Des Moines and West Des Moines public schools are closed, Tifereth will be as well. Morning minyan will be cancelled if there are 5+ inches of snow. Check KCCI and WHO for announcements about closings as well as our web site.
To learn more about Tifereth Israel Synagogue, you are invited to read our monthly newsletter which contains additional information about upcoming events at Tifereth and in the Des Moines community, articles by Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank and Cantor Deborah Bletstein, and much more! Please enjoy reading Part 1 and Part 2 of our January 2010 Bulletin.