Iowa
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University of Iowa
Your guide to Jewish life at Iowa - academics, kosher dining, Hillel, Chabad, Israel activities, anti-Semitism and more!
Agudas Achim Congregation — Coralville IA
Name: Agudas Achim Congregation
Address: 401 E. Oakdale Blvd, Coralville IA, 52241-3456
Denominational affiliation: Reform and Conservative (dual affiliation)
Member units (households): 100-200
What percentage of members are older than 50? 60%
How many people attend a regular Shabbat service? Friday night attendance is between 30-40 people. Saturday morning between 15-20.
Length of typical Shabbat morning service? Friday night: an hour (Reform). Saturday morning: 2.5 hours (Conservative service).
Shabbat dress code: Casual to business casual.
Daily services? No.
Does your synagogue have its own building? If not, where do you meet for services? Yes, we own the building.
Is there an opportunity to socialize after services? Yes: there’s a dessert oneg after Friday night services and a full bagel, lox, salads and dessert Kiddush lunch on Saturday mornings.
Language of service: Mostly Hebrew, with some English. More English during (guitar-led) Reform services.
Is another language offered in the prayer book? English.
Children’s programming: There are children’s services twice a month. There is a family ‘chavurah’ once a month on Friday nights featuring a potluck dinner, story time and guitar-led singing by the rabbi, and a lay-led (with a brief rabbinic appearance) family service once a month on Saturday morning.
Accessibility for people with disabilities: Fully wheelchair accessible, plus microphone and hearing loop.
Are services streamed online? No streaming.
Are the rabbi’s sermons available online? Sermons are available here on the rabbi’s blog.
Percentage of members in interfaith marriages? 70%
Will the rabbi officiate at an interfaith wedding? Will he/she attend one? The rabbi will not officiate at an interfaith wedding but will provide pre-marital and ritual support and will also attend interfaith weddings.
Are there distinct roles for men and women in your synagogue? No. The synagogue is fully egalitarian. There is a Sisterhood.