Jewish resource center will open Sunday in Postville

WANDA SIMMONS
Waterloo Courier Correspondent
 
POSTVILLE --- The story of Lubavitcher Jews coming to Postville in the mid-1980s to open a kosher meat plant is familiar to many in Northeast Iowa. Television programs, books and newspapers later carried the story of the community's growing cultural diversity around the world.
 
Sunday, a new resource becomes available, suggesting an opportunity to better understand the phenomenon. The Rubashkin Education Center, 120 N. Lawler St., will hold a grand opening at 3:30 p.m.
 
The center will serve the city, state and many visitors from across the United States and beyond who travel to Postville, population 2,500. The center will include a Jewish resource library and will offer insight into the religion, its history, customs and holidays. There will also be a presentation hall and youth programs.
 
The center was made possible by the Rubashkin family. Aaron Rubashkin of New York owns Agriprocessors, the largest kosher meat plant in the United States. Two of his sons, Sholom and Heshy Rubashkin, live in Postville and oversee the family business.
 
Though the Rubashkins provided funding for the education center, another donor helped make the facility complete. Judy Hunt, along with her late husband, Don, were "dear friends of the Postville Jewish community," said Rabbi Aron Schimmel, the center's director.
 
Don Hunt worked many years as plant manager at Agriprocessors. He died suddenly two years ago.
 
Don Hunt often bridged the gap existing at times between the Jewish community and native Postville residents. Some viewed Hunt as an emissary, who could work with both groups for the good of the community. The extent of Hunt's impact was evident during his memorial service when an overflow crowd spilled from the funeral home.
 
In her husband's honor, Judy Hunt provided the Understanding and Communication Center within the Rubashkin Education Center. The purpose is to foster relations between different ethnic communities.
 
The Rubashkin center includes beautifully bound books in Hebrew, Yiddish and English and contains materials for all ages. There are religious histories and Jewish laws, fiction and nonfiction, biographies and illustrated children's books.
 
The idea for the library originated with former Postville resident Menachem Rappaport, who started a small collection for Jewish children in his basement. When he moved, Rappaport sold his home with the stipulation the new owner promise to continue the library. That person was Rabbi Schimmel.
 
The children's room is dedicated to Aaron Rubashkin's mother and father. The area includes a small playhouse where youngsters can learn about what it means to be kosher. A play stove and two sinks --- representing the separation of dairy and meat products --- are available, as are child-size clothing and hats.
 
The education center is used by Jewish school children, with specific hours for different age groups and for boys and girls, as tradition requires. Public hours will also be available.
 
The dedication celebration will include entertainment and Israeli-style food.