Tifereth Israel Synagogue is a Conservative Congregation
affiliated with the
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism .
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
is the premier center for the academic study
of Judaism in North America and the spiritual center of Conservative Judaism.
The Seminary has a student body exceeding 550 and a faculty of
some one hundred
full-time and part-time scholars.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines is at the heart of the greater Des Moines community, which includes Ames, Marshalltown, and other cities and towns in Central Iowa. The diverse efforts of individual organizations are coordinated, central fundraising is executed, and community planning and community relations activities are administered through the Federation.
The Federation serves as an effective voice representing Jewish interests from a position of combined strength. The Federation is a world of action and swift response, of patient planning and programming, of legal and educational efforts-all proven and innovative means to deepen our understanding and protect our rights within Central Iowa.
Des Moines is noted throughout the nation for its unusually high level of unity, regardless of congregational affiliation. Our members are uniquely committed and generous. Our leadership is drawn from a broad spectrum and is enhanced through the knowledge and skills of our highly professional staff.
In addition to four major commissions, the Federation seeks to involve the community through the All-in-One campaign, community travel missions, planning and allocations, leadership development, Camp Shalom youth camp and publication of The Jewish Press.
In Israel, Federation funds help provide for health, social, and educational services for children, university and vocational students, families, the aged, and the handicapped. Our funds help to resettle new immigrants, to integrate disadvantaged families in underdeveloped areas, and to develop rural area settlements.
Around the world, Federation funds help to bring comfort through the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to communities in 33 countries. Wherever Jews suffer from repression, JDC works behind the scenes to maintain our Jewish lifeline.
Our investment here, in Israel, and throughout the world may
have been expressed best by David Ben Gurion when he said that
when you give to the Federation, you are giving "Not to charity
but to life." YOU are the Federation. It is through the involvement
of people like you that we can meet our goal - to enrich and improve
the quality of Jewish life in Des Moines, in Israel, and around
the world. Please feel free to call us. We're here for YOU.
The Jewish Community School (Lyanna Grund, Coordinator) is a newly revamped, unique and specialized educational institution serving the Jewish community. The Community School offers an extensive academic program, including weekly afternoon Jewish studies and a series of outreach programs for Jewish communities throughout Iowa. For further information, phone (515) 277-5566.
USY & Kadima
United States Synagogue Youth (USY) is the high school age youth program affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The Tifereth Israel chapter holds monthly programs including social, social action, religious and educational ones. Our USY chapter participates in regional conclaves and conventions of EMTZA Region USY. In addition, USYers may participate in national and international USY programs.
Kadima is the seventh and eighth grade youth program affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The Tifereth Israel chapter participates in a variety of programs with primary emphasis on social ones. The Kadimaniks have the opportunity to attend a regional Kadima convention each year.
Both USY and Kadima are directed by a professional youth director
who works closely with the congregation's Youth Committee.
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
The purpose of the Women's League is to perpetuate Jewish living in the home, synagogue and community. To this end, the content and scheduling of events are varied to attract a diverse group of women who demonstrate their commitment to Judaism and the synagogue by participating in Women's League activities. Among its responsibilities, Women's League maintains the synagogue kitchen.
Each year, the Women's League publishes an annual advertising
calendar as a major fund raiser. Women's League initiates its
year with an Installation Service. The League also prepares our
Break-the-Fast dinner after Yom Kippur, conducts a Torah Fund
Luncheon in the fall to raise funds for the Jewish Theological
Seminary, hosts family Shabbat dinners and an annual Chanukah
dinner and organizes various special programs, such as plays and
fashion shows. Lunch 'n Learn classes are often conducted during
the year and focus on timely issues with the guidance of the Rabbi.
The Women's League provides generous support for youth programs,
communal dinners and makes an annual contribution to the general
operations of the synagogue. The synagogue's attractive Gift Shop
is operated under the auspices of the Women's League.
Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs is committed to improving the quality of Jewish life; contributing to the enhancement of Conservative Jewish identity locally and world-wide; strengthening and building local Jewish Men's Clubs; and the increasing of individual and organizational membership for the purpose of providing excellence in education, training, and social and community activity.
The Tifereth Israel Men's Club, under the able leadership of Alan Koslow, works to enhance the quality of our social and spiritual life by leading and assisting a number of programs and events, including Men's Club Shabbat, the Yom Hashoah Yellow Candle Program, and various parent-child outings. Men's Club also also presents an inscribed Siddur to all of our B'nai Mitzvot.