The Rubashkin Education Center A new community center promoting cultural diversity and providing educational resources for the study of Jewish history and religion is open to the public in Postville, Iowa. The Rubashkin Education Center, at 120 N. Lawler Street, includes a Jewish resource library, presentation hall and a variety of youth programs. The center was made possible by the Rubashkin family, owners of AgriProcessors who first came to Postville in the mid-1980s to open what has become the largest Glatt kosher processing plant in the United States. The family of the late Don Hunt, who managed the Postville plant, also contributed to the center. Mr. Hunt often bridged the cultural gap which early on existed between the Jewish and non-Jewish residents of Postville. 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. The playhouse features a play stove and two sinks – representing the separation of dairy and meat products.
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