475 West Locust St, Dubuque, IA. 52001 (563) 583-3483 Map
(Selfie pic of Rabbi Jim and his wife, Lori, while on a tour of the Greek Islands.)
It is with anticipation and excitement that my family and I join Temple Beth El of Dubuque.
A new city, new people, a new congregation all provide possibilities for growth and enrichment. It is my sincere hope that our journey together be a fruitful one, marked by increased interconnectedness and understanding.
My life’s path has been eclectic to say the least, as I’ve worked in virtually all the fields afforded me by the rabbinate. I’ve served as an officiant, a counselor, an instructor, a chaplain, a professor, an advisor, and an educator.
At the same time, needless to say, I’ve been a husband, a father, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a brother-in-law and a nephew to my immediate and extended family. I’ve also been called a friend and caregiver, roles which I plan to expand in Dubuque.
The past few months have been particularly eventful in the Sagarin household, the highlight (besides becoming your rabbi!) remains our cruise on Holland-America’s Oosterdam, a ship that traversed the eastern Mediterranean. Crete, Santorini, Corfu, Athens, Dubrovnik, and Venice were among the ports of call. I’m ready today to go back, especially to the mesmerizing Greek Isles!
Of course there’s more to say, but I’ll leave that for another Temple newsletter. I look forward to seeing everyone!
Shalom U’vracha,
Rabbi Jim
james.sagarin@gmail.com
2017
Saturday, February 10: Winter Shabbat service in the morning — not Friday evening). Possible Tu Bishvat Seder.
Sunday, February 11: Family School probably on Sunday morning.
Friday, March 10: 7:00pm Shabbat service.
Saturday, March 11: 10:15am Family School. TBA Adult Discussion.
Friday, April 14: 7:00pm Shabbat service. Passover. Seder on Friday or Saturday.
Saturday, April 15: 10:15am Family School. TBA Adult Discussion.
Friday, May 12: 7:00pm Shabbat service.
Saturday, May 13: 10:15am Family School. TBA Adult Discussion.
Friday, June 9: 7:00pm Shabbat service.
Saturday, June 10: 10:15am Family School. TBA Adult Discussion.
Come and participate. Questions, contact agarfield@dbq.edu
The Tri-State Islamic Center is now located at 4980 Radford Ct in Asbury.
Interview with Becca Gottlieb, Rabbi Anne Persin and Alan Garfield
Every rabbi is asked throughout their career to find ways to define who they are as a rabbi. As a rabbi who sees myself as a teacher, first and foremost, I am constantly returning to Exodus 35:31 where we read, “And God filled Betzalel with the divine spirit, with hochmah (wisdom), t’vunah (understanding) and da’at (experience) and in all work.” In shaping my rabbinate, I look to Betzalel as my model for recognizing that all three of these ways of knowing—knowing through study, knowing through connecting, and knowing through doing—are all inherent to Judaism. My most sacred duty as a rabbi, therefore, is to bring hochmah (wisdom), t’vunah (understanding) and da’at (experience) to the people I serve. (Excerpted from July 2013 Newsletter.)
