Welcome to
Agudas Achim Congregation
Coralville, Iowa
Agudas Achim is a home for all Jews. We are Jews (and friends) of all generations, genders, socio-economic statuses, racial and ethnic identities, (dis)abilities and levels of observance. We are born Jews, Jews by choice, and Jewish adjacent. We are interfaith families, LGBTQ+ folk, singles, and elders. We are Jews with the full range of positions on Israel, Zionism, and the Diaspora. We welcome all with open arms, hearts, and minds.
Our services are hybrid
We want to be proactive in protecting our community and doing our part to minimize the spread of Covid. Covid vaccinations and boosters are recommended if advised by your doctor. Masks are optional for Shabbat services, and are available in our lobby.
To sign up to host an oneg, click here.
Do you need transport? We can help with that! Please contact the synagogue office for more information.
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What’s Happening
Neilah Sermonette
‘Did they’, she wondered out loud, ‘consider the gardens they planted, their last garden?’
Yom Kippur Day Sermon
Be still, my soul, the Psalmist sings. Isn’t that soothing? Isn’t that what the current moment cries out for?
Kol Nidrey Sermon
The human family. All of us. Remember that idea?
Erev Rosh haShanah Sermon 2020
There’s a joke floating around the Internet, which I cannot take credit for but I am happy to share: ‘The question no job applicants in 2015 ever got right was, ‘so, where do you see yourself in five years?’’
Rosh haShanah Day 1 Sermon
I don’t know if I can speak on behalf of anyone else, but I have felt the silent emptiness stretch like a wasteland across my soul.
The Rosh HaShanah Torah Readings Should Stimulate Teshuvah
The Isaac-Ishmael-Hagar story is in chapter 21 and the Akeda is in chapter 22. Rosh Hashanah offers the opportunity to study them together.
Live from the Bimah: Behind the Scenes
This Rosh Hashanah we decided to go live from the Bimah. For the first time we could immerse the congregation in the High Holiday atmosphere with streaming services directly from our Sanctuary.
When Your Rabbi is a Catholic Tenor: Lessons of Teshuva Through Music
As often as politely possible, I hide from this piece. I find as many excuses as I can to say “no thanks” to the Rabbi’s kind and humbling yearly request to sing it – not enough prep time, too much else going on, someone else can do it better (this last one is always true), etc. This year, however, I said yes.
Hillel’s Rules and COVID-19
These are the true golden rules from Hillel. When I studied them in high school, they seemed to apply to almost anything. As I grew older less so. However, it is now in this time of a pandemic that I find them most useful.
