{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/nc5s758m1j/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["David Lederman 6 Nov 2025 Interview"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/184/original/ijhs2_logo.png?1629814295","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Agent"]},"value":{"en":["Susan Jellinger","David Lederman"]}},{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["2025-11-07"]}},{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["David Lederman introduces himself, sharing deep family roots back to his grandfather's immigration from Russia and the family's long-standing involvement in the Waterloo Jewish community. He discusses his multiple terms as president of the synagogue board, as well as other leadership roles such as treasurer and vice president. David also reminisces about his experiences growing up in the synagogue, describing the vibrant community life, regular services, youth groups, and educational activities that fostered a strong sense of belonging and connection among members. He describes how the shrinking community led to fewer resources and less participation, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of activity and operations and prompted the community to consider significant changes to ensure the synagogue's survival. David outlines the careful and lengthy process the board undertook to consider selling the synagogue and moving to a new location. David describes the wide range of opinions and emotional responses from both active and less-involved members with some becoming more engaged and others struggling with the idea of leaving the building. Looking ahead, David expresses his desire for the synagogue to remain active and inclusive, provide regular services and support for its members. David offers advice to other congregations experiencing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of seeking input from the community, focusing on building a vibrant future rather than preserving the past, and committing to decisions even when the process is difficult."]}},{"label":{"en":["Format"]},"value":{"en":["MPEG-4"]}},{"label":{"en":["Keyword"]},"value":{"en":["Meyer Sidney Lederman","Joseph Lederman","Long Range Planning Committee","Waterloo IA","Treasurer","Sons of Jacob Synagogue","David Lederman","President","Sarah Stokes","Vice President","Bobbi Kazenelson","Synagogue Membership","Congregational Survey","Board of Trustees","Mitzvah Fund"]}},{"label":{"en":["Type"]},"value":{"en":["TheirStory"]}}],"summary":{"en":["David Lederman introduces himself, sharing deep family roots back to his grandfather's immigration from Russia and the family's long-standing involvement in the Waterloo Jewish community. He discusses his multiple terms as president of the synagogue board, as well as other leadership roles such as treasurer and vice president. David also reminisces about his experiences growing up in the synagogue, describing the vibrant community life, regular services, youth groups, and educational activities that fostered a strong sense of belonging and connection among members. He describes how the shrinking community led to fewer resources and less participation, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of activity and operations and prompted the community to consider significant changes to ensure the synagogue's survival. David outlines the careful and lengthy process the board undertook to consider selling the synagogue and moving to a new location. David describes the wide range of opinions and emotional responses from both active and less-involved members with some becoming more engaged and others struggling with the idea of leaving the building. Looking ahead, David expresses his desire for the synagogue to remain active and inclusive, provide regular services and support for its members. David offers advice to other congregations experiencing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of seeking input from the community, focusing on building a vibrant future rather than preserving the past, and committing to decisions even when the process is difficult."]},"provider":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["Iowa Jewish Historical Society"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["Iowa Jewish Historical Society"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/184/original/ijhs2_logo.png?1629814295","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/297/965/small/open-uri20251201-428871-c6h2gw_1764602708.jpg?1764602711","type":"Image","format":"image/jpeg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - open-uri20251201-428871-c6h2gw.mp4"]},"duration":2222.784,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/297/965/small/open-uri20251201-428871-c6h2gw_1764602708.jpg?1764602711","type":"Image","format":"image/jpeg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-jewishdesmoines.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/297/965/original/open-uri20251201-428871-c6h2gw.mp4?1764602701","type":"Video","format":"video/mp4","duration":2222.784,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["TheirStory Transcript (Paragraphs with Speakers) [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, thank you for being here.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=3.44,4.6"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Thank you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=5.2,5.6"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e You can hear my voice. My name is Susan Jellinger. I'm the oral historian for the Iowa Jewish Historical Society. And we're here up in Waterloo, Iowa, in the Sons of Jacob kind of office area in their new space. And we're here because they've got a new space. We'll be talking a bit about that. I also want to thank some of our sponsors. Don and Margo Blumenthal have been supporting the oral history program for a long time, and they've just recently given more monies to help us keep going. Also, the state of Iowa, through their RDP grant, has given us funding and then the members of the Iowa Jewish Historical Society, and I think. Some support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Um, today's interview is being done in English and today is November 6th, 2025. So to start the interview, David, please introduce yourself. If you could give us your full name, um, your age, date of birth, and if you have a Jewish or Hebrew name.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=5.64,83.04"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Okay. Um, thank you for coming and helping us with this and sharing this transition. Um, my name is David Lederman. I am 55 years old, born September 12th, 1970. Um, my Hebrew name is David Ben Meir Shalom, and I've been a member of Sons of Jacob Synagogue my entire life. I was born here in Waterloo.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=83.16,106.88"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, your family has a long history with SOJ doesn't it? Yes,","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=107.28,111.64"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e yes. My, uh, my father, Sid Lederman. Myer, Sidney Lederman, um, had been a member here since his birth, and, uh, his father, Joseph Lederman, moved here from New York after immigrating from Russia. Uh, in 19 about 1910, around that time. So we've been in Waterloo since 1910. So","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=111.64,136.24"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e he got here just a little bit after Sons of Jacob started.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=136.24,139.68"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yes. Uh, sons of Jacob, I think originally, uh, incorporated or started their synagogue on in Waterloo around 1905, somewhere around there. So, yeah, he got here about five years after that, you know.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=140.2,157.8"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/9","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, I know you are currently the president of the board.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=158.36,162.44"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/10","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yes. Um, this is my second year as president. Um, I've been president, I believe, three, two times prior to this.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=162.48,171.68"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/11","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eNaomi McCormick:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, this is your fourth term.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=171.84,173.76"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/12","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e My fourth term, but.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=173.88,175.48"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/13","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eNaomi McCormick:\u003c/strong\u003e This three, I think three in a row. Three years in a row recently.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=175.52,178.68"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/14","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. So I've been all, I've been other officers on the board, I've been a treasurer, a vice president. Uh I've served on the board for probably more than 15 years um entirety since, since I've been um, part of Sons of Jacob. Um, as president, I've been president the last two years. Um, I'm not going to be president next year just to make sure everybody knows that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=179.2,206.4"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/15","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e It's.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=207.44,207.56"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/16","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e On record. It's on record now. Uh, but, uh, yeah, it's, uh, it's something that I felt was important. Um, I wanted to help the synagogue, uh, continue on. I want I want to provide a Jewish, um, place for the community. And so, you know, I felt it was, you know, good for me and good for the community if I continued on as president. So, yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=207.6,239.45"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/17","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, I know you were president back in 2006, and you already told me that you can't quite remember, but just casting your mind back, what are some of the things that you treasured growing up in the community?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=239.81,255.21"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/18","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, you know, as a conservative synagogue, um, I think what, uh, we treasured most was being involved with the synagogue, uh, having that Jewish family here versus our families outside.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=256.81,276.09"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/19","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e What did you do that brought that feeling, that experience?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=276.21,280.65"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/20","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, I think that was just being involved. Um, having grown up in the synagogue, we really did grow up in the in the synagogue, uh, when I was growing up in the 80s and the 90s, even the 70s. We would start with, um, coming to services with our parents on a regular basis Friday and Saturday morning, um, having, uh, Sunday school on a regular traditional yearly schedule, um, doing things with different youth groups that were set up inside the synagogue that, uh, made us, you know, get to know most of the other families and kids our age and kids older than us. Um, and then that would just transition to then Hebrew school, uh, confirmation. Um, and just, uh, activities that the synagogue would put on that you would be involved with. So, uh, the involvement you had with the synagogue was a lot greater when the community was bigger. Um, and you just, uh, had this other family that you you knew you could count on and you were a part of besides your, your, your other friends and, and people outside of the Jewish community. Thanks. Mhm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=281.21,367.93"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/21","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, I know we want to focus today on some of the process that happened with the long range planning Committee, things that went on in the decision about. The size of the community. You mentioned when you were had larger people here there were more things to do. Mhm. When did you start noticing those dwindling numbers making a difference.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=368.29,397.61"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/22","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e I would say it was approximately. 20 years, about 20 years ago when it felt like the the community was getting smaller, a lot smaller. Um, and we had a full time rabbi back then, but, you know, we still could see that the numbers of Jews in the community participating at the synagogue was less or dropping off. We weren't gaining members. So, uh, I would I would think because of the the size getting smaller and us not attracting the Jews that were here that used to belong to the synagogue or could belong to the synagogue if they chose to it. It made us made me think that, you know, our issue wasn't the the building or the money. It was people We couldn't. We weren't having, um, enough people committed to wanting to be a part of the of the of the synagogue. I would say it was about 20, 25 years ago. So over time, you start to get a little smaller, your resources get stretched a little more, your manpower. And I think it always came back to manpower for me because, um, people power, I should say, because less people would make it harder for us to continue to operate at the level that we were all used to. So change had to set in and through change. Um, some people got discouraged. Some people didn't like the change, but it was inevitable change was happening whether we wanted it to or not. Um.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=398.81,520.89"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/23","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah. They say change is the constant. Yeah. Mhm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=521.73,525.01"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/24","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Mhm. So if in your own words, can you talk about how you were involved in the decision making process? Um, that brought about the move and the things that you did? Um, discussions that you had.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=525.05,541.85"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/25","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, I think the decision making process started with us asking the congregation for approval to think about selling the synagogue. And we might have done some surveying before that to see how people would react if we wanted to sell the synagogue and move to a new location. We we tried to get input back from the community on, you know, what they feel the synagogue should be about? What what's important to them. Um, so, I mean, that's kind of where the process started. And it might have started in our long range planning committee discussions. and then went to speaking to the community, asking them for their input and then presenting a plan to the community of this is what we would like to do as a board. Um, and I think we took a couple years to do that. I mean, to try to enlighten people, get people's input. I think it took us that long because that's that moving from our location where we had this beautiful synagogue for over 70 years that was ours, and that so many memories were in and so many people were a part of. I mean, not just the people who are currently here. We're probably talking about thousands of people who have come through the synagogue and have moved away that still think of that as their home. We, um, that was a big, um, that was a big decision. And that was a big, big thing to contemplate moving from or leaving that building. And so we took us a couple years to kind of build up the support and the information necessary to present an idea or a plan to the congregation and see if they implement that plan and move forward. So it was in the process. It took a long time.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=542.25,672.58"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/26","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e I know you talked about a survey and reaching out. Did you have a lot of people who who had left, who voiced their opinions, who or just came back and reconnected? They'd kind of.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=672.82,686.42"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/27","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e In the process during the process. We definitely had a lot of opinions. I remember opinions of people who are members but don't participate. They had opinions. People who are a big, uh, big, uh, participators in the in the synagogue who had lots of opinions. Um, I think this was the the synagogue building was the one thing that everybody knew about and everybody had a feeling about or an emotion about. So, yes, we had a lot of opinions. We got a lot of good feedback from people on what they wanted and what they didn't like. So I think it created actually, it probably created a more input and more, um, people wanting to think about the synagogue when a decision like this was starting to come about.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=687.78,749.7"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/28","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Well, I've wondered, like when they often say you don't appreciate something until it's gone.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=750.22,755.7"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/29","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Mhm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=756.1,756.58"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/30","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And if people started thinking, oh what's happening to the community, if they started to feel I need to step up, I need to be here.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=756.66,765.7"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/31","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Mhm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=765.98,766.5"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/32","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Has that happened?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=766.7,767.98"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/33","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Uh, yeah. Uh, you know, I mean through the process, it took everybody to come together to make the decision to move on because you had people who really felt strongly about moving forward and maybe selling the building. And then you had people who felt very strongly about, no, we you know, their opinion at the time was maybe we should stay in the building and do whatever we can. Mhm. And so over time, people's opinions, you know, they shift, you know, as they see the reality of, of what's going on. Sometimes people's opinions shift from maybe, maybe we should move on from the building. Where as before they, they felt no, that was impossible. Or you had people who at one time thought, you know, it would be okay to move on from the building. I've. I've been here long enough as it gets closer to making that decision. Their opinion would be, no, I can't let go. I can't change, I need to be here because of my family or because of my memories. So you through that process, you have people who who do change their minds, but it brings to it helps. I wouldn't say helps, but people who get involved with the process and really take a hard look at what needs to be done or what they want to have done, want to have have happen. They, you know, they become part of the process. Their opinions and ideas kind of re-energizes the synagogue. So as you go through this transition, you have this new energy of people who want to be involved, whether they're for it or against it. So yeah, that's kind of I think how things started to to pan out as we went through the process.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=768.94,887.06"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/34","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e How much time do you think that you were able to or you needed to dedicate to being working on this process? You've been president for. Since 23.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=887.86,902.82"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/35","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e 2023. Yeah. And that was my first year as president. And then.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=902.98,907.42"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/36","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And. Then.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=907.46,907.98"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/37","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e I remember you were president in 2006.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=908.3,910.86"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/38","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Mhm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=910.9,911.42"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/39","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And were those two year terms or just one year term. One year term?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=911.54,915.46"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/40","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Just one year. Terms?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=915.5,916.7"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/41","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah. Um.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=917.18,918.9"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/42","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e So how many meetings do you think you had to go to a week?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=921.14,924.14"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/43","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, it was, um. I think it's hard for me to remember all the meetings we had because there were so many people involved in people who are trying to help with the process. Um, but, you know, besides our our monthly board meeting and probably some special meetings as far as talking about what to do, I don't know the the amount of time put into the transition. Um, like I said, it lasted over a year's time, a couple years time of getting to that point of of wanting to make that transition. And I think it was it was kind of a, a slow process. Um, we didn't try to rush anything. Um, but, um, we spent a lot of time, I think, in our board meetings talking about this and our long range, long range planning committee meetings. So I think, you know, you probably have at least two meetings a month about it, and maybe more. Um, as it got closer, um, to making that decision. Um, but, um, I think the, the majority of the time that we got put into the process, it probably, um, not only happened before, it's such a long process, I really it's hard for me to put a number on it. I mean, it took time. It took years to try to work through.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=924.34,1030.39"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/44","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Was there anything that surprised you during this time that came up?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1032.349,1036.51"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/45","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1037.55,1037.99"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/46","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Did you discover more things about the community? Um, or maybe things that you had that you didn't know you had?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1039.63,1047.95"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/47","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um. No, I don't think I had any surprises. I anticipated there would be people who would be for the process and before, and would be positive about making a transition. And then I knew there would be a few people, a minority, that would probably be opposed to a change. And, um, so I didn't feel like there was any big, big surprises. I felt like it was just a natural process of of us trying to make a change and move forward. And there would be support for it. I thought there would be plenty of support for it. And I thought there would be some people who just wouldn't be able to make that change in this, uh, for this community and for this, uh, for the synagogue because it the the the the building Thing is such a I don't know how to put how the the building is such an emotional piece to their life that they moving forward would be very difficult. Moving away from it would not would be very hard to, um, figure out and and understand and accept. Um, but yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1049.19,1132.11"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/48","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e So so your president now, when's your term end?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1132.39,1136.87"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/49","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e My term should end in March with our annual meeting. And so at that time, um, I do have another year on the, on the board. But at that time, um, after we get our board members elected, we'll then go into our board meeting and decide who should be officers.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1137.99,1158.03"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/50","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e What are your hopes and dreams now for this next year and a half?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1158.59,1162.83"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/51","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSPEAKER_S4:\u003c/strong\u003e Um.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1163.43,1163.83"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/52","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e For the next year and a half, just that we, you know, we continue to operate as a synagogue that involves helps involve everybody in the community. Um, we bring a lot of, uh, services to the community. Um, as far as, uh, our weekend services, Shabbat services, holidays, um, just continue to be very, you know, uh, a very active synagogue. Um, people probably don't realize how active, um, this small community actually is. Now that we're in a smaller space, we can actually be more active. We can do more. We don't have to worry about, uh, a building. We don't have to worry about what's going to happen with that five years down the road.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1164.91,1217.87"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/53","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Tell me a little bit. You say you can do more. Um, tell me a little bit more. What that more would be, um, not guaranteeing it's going to happen, but I think.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1218.03,1228.23"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/54","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e What more to me means is that we can be more active with our Jewish community, with our members, so we can get to know each other more. We can be, uh, more active, um, in doing community things, going out in the community. Um, we can be more active with paying attention to our members who might need extra help, but they've never they've never. Gone","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1228.35,1262.39"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/55","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e for that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1262.39,1262.95"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/56","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah, we've started a mikva fund. Is that what it is? Mitzvah fund. Mitzvah fund? Yeah. The Beth, uh, mitzvah fund for members who might need extra assistance with, um, financial needs. So some of our members are retired or, um, getting up there in age, and they don't have a lot of family around. So we provided a mitzvah fund that they can, um, access if they need something extra that just kind of falls outside their normal budget, their normal financial budget. So as they get older, as their funds dwindle, or as their resources dwindle between family and other things, they can feel like they have a place they can come back to and get some extra help if they need something. So that's just, you know, being a community, you know, taking care of the the Jewish people that are here and, um, giving them, um, some extra, some extra security and, and attention.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1263.11,1337.87"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/57","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Do you think Covid helped push this forward?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1338.39,1344.75"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/58","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Probably I think I think Covid probably helped people adjust and accept that change might need to happen. So I think Covid, um, uh, definitely changed how people interacted and have continued to interact. I think they think about, um, what it was like during Covid and what it can should be like now. I think there's comparisons probably going on all the time. Um, um, I think Covid, uh, probably pushed our, our process of, of wanting to transition to a smaller space. I think Covid probably had something to do with that. Um, and maybe some of the other members on the board could speak on that a little bit more. But, um, but I think Covid probably yeah, affected our, our congregation in a lot of ways.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1347.12,1410.64"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/59","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Now that you're in this new space and you talked a little bit about what your hopes continuing. Um, when I read through the bulletins, it definitely looks like a fairly active part, but again, it looks like there's a core crew. You mentioned you've been president. This will be the end of your third term. The","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1423.48,1443.56"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/60","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e end of my second term or I mean third term. Yeah, end of my third term. My second year as president though.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1443.56,1449.12"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/61","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, but you held other offices and did other things. What were some of those other things you did?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1449.32,1455.84"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/62","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Uh, I was treasurer during the transition. During the transition of when we put the synagogue up for sale, and then when we started the process of of selling it and accepting an offer and going that, doing that process. I was treasurer at that time. Um, prior to that, uh, I had been, um, a board member, not a, not an officer. And then also I, you know, have been president, um, I've been vice president, so I've held a couple different officers positions. But like, you were kind of alluding to, there's a core group. So in 2006, you know, we had a board of, uh, I believe nine members. In 2006, somewhere along the lines, maybe in 2015 or 16, we went down to seven members, a seven member board. And this is because we've just had less and unless, um, uh, members to choose from, right? So now we're down to five member board. So we're a much smaller board than we were in 2006. And so the role that you get to play is more important because it's more critical, I should say, not more important, but a little more critical because you have less people to manage the synagogue. And um, so we've I've held several roles. Um, now, you know, the core group of people that are on the board have been on the board now for probably 5 to 10 years. Are the core people the leadership role of president, you know, that has you know, we've we've had the president the same president run maybe the last five, six years. Um, the the The. I've been president for two years. Prior to me being president, we had Bobby Casey Nelson, and she had been president for several terms before that. And then before that it was Sarah Stokes. She had served a couple terms. You know, the people who take on that leadership role know that it's a big role to have. And, um, the experienced people from the board that want to do that is getting smaller and smaller. Um, so, um, yeah, the the board positions are, are very important or very critical. And it, it's good to have new people come on board and get them involved. And that's what we're trying to do now going forward is we're been trying to do that. But we've we'd like to add people who are still in the community who want to haven't been on the board before, get them on the board and incorporate them into what we're what we have to do and help the synagogue be, you know, is balanced and diversified as possible.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1456.72,1647.04"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/63","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e How have the rabbis been involved with your process?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1648.48,1652.76"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/64","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, we we've been without a we've had two full time rabbis over the last 40 years, probably 50 years. We had Rabbi Serber, who served as a rabbi up through 2008, I think somewhere around there. And then we had Rabbi Rosenbaum, um, who came on and served as our full time rabbi for about 10 to 12 years. So between those two guys being our full time rabbis, they were a little bit prior to the process of thinking about transitioning. Um, but, um, they were they were instrumental in helping us be a community and, and be a very, very, um, good synagogue. Um, since then, we've had a couple different rabbis who would come in and do services, not as a full time rabbi, particularly here, living in the community, but as somebody who could, uh, help us with all the different services, holidays, um, religious needs. They would help us with that. And that's our main one has been Rabbi Kushner from Iowa City, and she comes in once a month. She provides classes, she provides bar mitzvah training, Hebrew school, um, and and just religious authority. You know, somebody we can go to that has the knowledge and the background to help us understand what we're supposed to continue to do as a synagogue. So, yeah, she's been very helpful. Over the last probably ten years. I think she's been with us about ten years.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1653.84,1768.57"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/65","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And then you have Rabbi Ora, who is the.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1769.61,1772.25"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/66","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Rabbi.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1773.49,1774.01"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/67","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Of, uh, was it Mordecai Simon?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1774.17,1777.53"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/68","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Uh, I'm not sure if she's from Chicago. Yeah, but she is she. She lives in Chicago and raised her family there, and now she's a retired rabbi there in Chicago. And that's where she worked as a rabbi. And, um, her father, in the 50s, early 50s, was our rabbi here at Sons of Jacob. Her father. And he went from, I believe, working at the synagogue before we had our one on Mitchell Avenue, the oldest synagogue we've had here since 1907, or somewhere around there 1910. He was there for a year or something like that, and then he transitioned to the new building. And she was at that time, I believe, maybe, you know, a small girl, 3 or 4 years old, something like that. And so her father was our rabbi here for I, I'm maybe, maybe 5 to 7 years. He was here as she was growing up. So now after they moved, they moved to Chicago after that. And, um, she went on to be a rabbi. And since, uh, maybe 20, 20, she's been coming back and helping us with services for High holidays and doing some other Shabbat services for us.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1778.77,1861.97"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/69","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e It seems like she definitely has a heart connection with the community.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1862.33,1866.17"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/70","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Oh, yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1866.37,1867.01"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/71","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Whether it's in the building or here.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1867.05,1868.77"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/72","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah. She remembers a lot of the current members families, and she remembers what the what it was like to be at the old location. And, uh, and she's just very warm and understanding and, and very connected to this community. Even with knowing, um, how her father conducted services here, she remembers that she and she remembers the the tunes and the the different, uh, intricacies that we, we have here. And and so she has been a very, very, very good, uh, rabbi for us to have here be able to connect with and have come back. She's and she, like you said, she she feels that connection. So I think she enjoys it. She likes coming back.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1868.81,1925.13"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/73","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e She comes for the High Holidays.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1925.29,1926.49"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/74","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e  And then we have her come in the summertime for services. She does weekend some weekend services for us when we when we have our in-home services during the summer. And she's participated in that. And we'd like to see that continue increase hopefully have her come back more.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1926.53,1946.61"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/75","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e So if another congregation that has to go through some changes again, probably for similar reasons, dwindling amounts of people. Um. What advice? What's something that you would want to share with them?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1947.45,1967.29"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/76","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Um, well, every every congregation is different. So my advice, um, my, my basic advice would be to, um, make a decision, uh, first go to the congregation and ask the congregation what they what they want, and try to come to a decision on how to move their congregation forward towards being a community, not being, um, focused on preserving the past. So trying to think about what we can do to have a better community in the future and what that means.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1967.45,2015.81"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/77","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e I say honor the past, but move forward.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2017.57,2020.93"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/78","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Move forward, decide to make some changes, and then then stick to it. Even if it gets a little bumpy or it gets rough, you know you've made a decision. It's probably the right decision, but it's not going to be easy. And you should just stick with it and you'll you'll come out the other side stronger.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2021.13,2040.69"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/79","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e About how many families are connected with the synagogue now?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2041.49,2045.49"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/80","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e I would say there's about 25 to 30 families connected with the synagogue. Um, there's more families than that in the Cedar Valley. Jewish families. Um, but for ones that are, uh, contributing members, we have about, I would say 25 to 30. Okay. And that number's been kind of creeping up a little bit, I think, because we've been adding a few members here and there. Um, we've consistent with the ones that are still here, and then we've been able to add a half a dozen new families that have decided to to participate and become contributing members of the synagogue. And that was not happening when we were at our old building. That you did not get that type of, uh, buy in by new families, even though they would come here from somewhere else and be Jewish. They just did not, for some reason, did not seem to gravitate towards wanting to be a member.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2045.93,2112.5"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/81","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e I imagine being in the smaller space, they could look and see that there's less overhead and true and and you get physically a closer feeling. So it feels more full when there's fewer people versus fewer people than a lot of space around you in the old building. Is there anything that I haven't asked that you want to talk about?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2113.7,2139.62"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/82","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Uh, no, I, I feel really good about your interview, and, and, um, I appreciate what you're doing, and, uh, I, I think you've you've pretty much covered everything I can think of. That would. Be","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2139.82,2154.22"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/83","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e the others will have some other. Things.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2154.42,2155.66"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/84","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Exactly. Yeah. But from my perspective, I think you've covered everything that I could, could add to the, to the interview. So yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you for your time.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2155.66,2165.74"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/85","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And good luck as you finish this term. And then you go as president, past president for your next year on the board.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2166.38,2173.86"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/86","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yeah, that sounds very good I like that I like the sound of that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2173.9,2176.9"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/87","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e And I hope that you'll I know that you'll continue. Your family's been committed to this congregation and to the Jewish community as a whole, uh, for a long time. And that will continue.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2177.02,2188.7"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/88","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Yes. It","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2188.74,2189.14"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/89","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e will. Thank you so much.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2189.14,2190.42"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/90","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Thank you. All right. He'll be back. Yeah. Thank you. Susan.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2190.46,2198.78"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/91","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Jellinger:\u003c/strong\u003e Okay. All right. IRA will take a moment and let's see. Let me. Oh, I got to get my glasses on.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2202.5,2211.34"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/92","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eNaomi McCormick:\u003c/strong\u003e I texted you. I emailed you a picture of the tablecloth.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2213.5,2217.82"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/93","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lederman:\u003c/strong\u003e Okay. Okay. I'll look at. It.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2218.26,2219.86"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/transcript/87293/annotation/94","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"\u003cstrong\u003eNaomi McCormick:\u003c/strong\u003e Maybe in the storage area. I can't I.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2219.98,2222.66"}]},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["Auto-generated Index (2025-11-11 03:43:56) [Index]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/95","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Introduction and Interview Context","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=0.0,158.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/96","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Susan Jellinger introduces herself as the oral historian for the Iowa Jewish Historical Society and sets the scene for the interview, which takes place in the new space of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Waterloo, Iowa. She acknowledges the sponsors and funding sources that support the oral history program and provides the date and language of the interview. David Lederman then introduces himself, sharing his age, birthdate, Hebrew name, and deep family roots in the synagogue, tracing back to his grandfather's immigration from Russia and the family's long-standing involvement in the Waterloo Jewish community.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=0.0,158.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/97","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Leadership Roles and Reflections on Community Life","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=158.0,368.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/98","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David discusses his multiple terms as president of the synagogue board, as well as other leadership roles such as treasurer and vice president. He reflects on the importance of his involvement and the sense of responsibility he feels to maintain a Jewish presence in the community. David also reminisces about his experiences growing up in the synagogue, describing the vibrant community life, regular services, youth groups, and educational activities that fostered a strong sense of belonging and connection among members.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=158.0,368.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/99","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Declining Membership and Recognizing the Need for Change","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=368.0,527.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/100","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David recalls when he first noticed the decline in synagogue membership, estimating it began about 20 to 25 years ago. He describes how the shrinking community led to fewer resources and less participation, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of activity and operations. The realization that the core issue was not the building or finances, but rather the dwindling number of committed people, prompted the community to consider significant changes to ensure the synagogue's survival.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=368.0,527.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/101","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The Process of Deciding to Move and Sell the Synagogue","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=527.0,672.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/102","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David outlines the careful and lengthy process the board undertook to consider selling the synagogue and moving to a new location. This included surveying the congregation, gathering input, and presenting plans for approval. He emphasizes the emotional difficulty of leaving a building filled with memories and the importance of building consensus over several years. The process was deliberate, aiming to respect the attachment many members felt to the historic synagogue while preparing for the future.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=527.0,672.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/103","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Community Reactions and Shifts in Engagement","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=672.0,887.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/104","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David describes the wide range of opinions and emotional responses from both active and less-involved members regarding the potential move. The prospect of change prompted many to reflect on their connection to the synagogue, with some becoming more engaged and others struggling with the idea of leaving the building. The process of transition brought new energy and involvement, as people reconsidered their roles and the future of the community, sometimes changing their minds as the reality of the situation became clearer.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=672.0,887.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/105","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Time Commitment and Challenges During Transition","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=887.0,1158.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/106","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David discusses the significant time and effort required to manage the transition, including frequent board and committee meetings over several years. He notes that the process was intentionally slow to allow for thorough discussion and consensus-building. While he anticipated a mix of support and resistance, he was not surprised by the range of reactions, recognizing the deep emotional ties many had to the building and the challenges inherent in making such a major change.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=887.0,1158.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/107","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hopes for the Future and New Community Initiatives","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1158.0,1338.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/108","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Looking ahead, David expresses his desire for the synagogue to remain active and inclusive, providing regular services and support for its members. He highlights the benefits of the smaller space, which allows for greater engagement and the ability to focus on community needs. One new initiative is the creation of a mitzvah fund to assist members facing financial difficulties, reflecting a commitment to mutual support and care within the congregation.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1158.0,1338.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/109","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The Impact of Covid on Congregational Change","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1338.0,1423.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/110","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David acknowledges that the Covid pandemic likely influenced the congregation's willingness to accept change and transition to a smaller space. The pandemic altered how people interacted and may have accelerated the decision-making process, as members reconsidered their priorities and the practicalities of maintaining a large building. Covid's broader effects on community life and engagement are recognized as factors in the synagogue's evolution.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1338.0,1423.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/111","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Board Structure, Leadership, and Membership Trends","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1423.0,1648.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/112","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David explains the shrinking size of the board and the increasing importance of each leadership role as the community has gotten smaller. He describes the efforts to bring new people onto the board and the challenges of maintaining leadership continuity. The conversation also touches on the gradual increase in membership since moving to the new space, as well as the more intimate and engaged atmosphere that the smaller setting provides.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1423.0,1648.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/113","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The Role of Rabbis in Community Life and Transition","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1648.0,1947.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/114","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David reviews the history of rabbinic leadership at Sons of Jacob, noting the contributions of full-time rabbis in the past and the current reliance on visiting rabbis for services and religious guidance. He highlights the special connection with Rabbi Ora, whose father once served the congregation, and the ongoing support provided by Rabbi Kushner. These rabbis have played key roles in maintaining religious life and continuity during times of change.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1648.0,1947.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/115","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Advice for Other Congregations Facing Change","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1947.0,2041.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/116","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David offers advice to other congregations experiencing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of seeking input from the community, focusing on building a vibrant future rather than preserving the past, and committing to decisions even when the process is difficult. He encourages honoring tradition while being willing to adapt, suggesting that perseverance through challenging transitions can ultimately strengthen the community.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=1947.0,2041.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/117","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Current Membership and Community Dynamics","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2041.0,2134.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/118","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"David estimates that 25 to 30 families are currently connected to the synagogue, with a slight increase in membership since moving to the new space. He notes that the smaller, more intimate setting has made it easier for new families to feel involved and for the community to feel vibrant despite its size. The conversation highlights the positive effects of the transition on engagement and the sense of closeness among members.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2041.0,2134.0"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/119","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Closing Remarks and End of Interview","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Title"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2134.0,2222.784"},{"id":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965/index/90243/annotation/120","type":"Annotation","motivation":"supplementing","body":[{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The interview concludes with Susan expressing appreciation for David's insights and commitment, and David affirming his family's ongoing dedication to the congregation. They exchange thanks and well wishes, and the session wraps up with some logistical comments about the interview process and materials.","format":"text/plain","label":{"en":["Synopsis"]}}],"target":"https://ijhs.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1537/collection_resources/163683/file/297965#t=2134.0,2222.784"}]}]}]}