Leadership
Clergy
Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank received his Ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California. Previously, Rabbi Edelman-Blank graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies. His eclectic experience includes interning at Burbank Temple Emanu El in Burbank, California, directing youth programs at Congregation Beth El in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, assisting with research in the field of psychology at Boston University, serving in AmeriCorps and an array of community service. Rabbi Edelman-Blank’s passions lie in community development and making Torah meaningful in our daily lives. Rabbi Edelman-Blank’s wife, Deborah, is a clinical psychologist in Des Moines. You can find a selection of articles written by Rabbi Edelman-Blank here.
Cantor Emeritus Pinchas Spiro, z”l received his Cantorial Ordination from the Jerusalem Cantorial Institute. He previously attended the Julliard School of Music and graduated from Syracuse University. Cantor Spiro’s musical talents placed him in the forefront of Jewish musical liturgy in the United States. Cantor Spiro served congregations in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Cleveland as well as authoring numerous books in the field of Jewish liturgical music. Among the major works that Cantor Spiro introduced to Tifereth Israel and the Des Moines community include: Retell the Story, a Hanukkah musical, the oratorios Haggadah and Havdalah, and the premiere of the Kristallnacht Oratorio Stars in the Dust. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Staff
Jennifer Thompson, Consultant on Interfaith Outreach
Barbara Berven, Office Administrator
Janelle Jaskolka, Administrative Assistant
Executive Committee
Co-Presidents: Brad Long, Steve Weiss
Vice President: Sheldon Ohringer
Treasurer: Frank Marcovis
Secretary: Jody Jacklin
Board of Trustees
Peggy Altman
Phil Bear
Aaron Beckerman
Josh Engman (President of Tifereth Cemetery)
Alice Friedgood
Alex Fritzler
Harvey Giller
Louis Hockenberg
Barbara Leventhal-Beckerman (Women’s League Representative)
Josh Kimelman
Warren Kruger
Michael Kuperman
Frank Levy
Mindy Nussbaum-Bell
Mary Noss Reavely
Hannah Rogers
Maddie Schoen
Michael Stein
Kim Waltman
Harvey Weinberg