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Sunrise at The Western Wall

May peace be in our future for all generations and for all people.

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Shofar

When the Shofar blows, Jews everywhere heed the call.

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The-Written-Law

The Torah Scroll. Our most sacred artifact.

Judaism in the Quad Cities

Sanctuary Ark

Since our founding in 1861, Temple Emanuel has served the Jews of the Quad Cities – the small towns and large cities of Iowa and Illinois bordering the Mississippi River – with distinction.

Our congregation is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).  We welcome diversity, innovation and progressive thought.  This is demonstrated daily throughout our Temple life with our traditional and creative Shabbat Services, active Religious and Hebrew Schools, vibrant Sisterhood, various educational and programming activities and strong social actions and calls for social justice. We are a congregation who support a wide range of programs and activities for members of all ages.  Visitors are always welcome especially for Shabbat Services.  Please contact our Temple Office to arrange the best time for your visit.

We strive to build community based on inclusiveness, where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, marital status, sexual orientation, a Jew by birth or by choice and anyone who identifies with the Jewish faith.

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard jemerman

Death and Mourning
star of david starry lights
As we head into the holiday season, I am acutely aware of how much different this year is going to be than previous ones. I will be celebrating without my mom for the first time. My mother died in January 2021, and I'm still dealing with the unexpected waves of grief that wash over me, sometimes out of nowhere. As I head into this first winter holiday season without her, I'm not quite sure I know what to expect, other than everything is going to be very different.

The Cost of Free Land

The Cost of Free Land jemerman

Native American issues
The author's Great-Great-Uncle Louie Sinykin posing with men in Dakota garb in South Dakota's Black Hills. Date unknown.
When I was a child growing up in the 1980s, the story I learned about Thanksgiving followed the classic script: it highlighted amity between the Pilgrims and their Indigenous neighbors. Due to this connection, the hunger of the European settlers was met with squash and turkey.

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism sdolgov

Antisemitism and Hate Crimes
star of david
URJ leaders have had thousands of conversations about antisemitism over the past years, especially after October 7th. The following list summarizes the ideas that arise most often in these discussions.

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve"

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve" sdolgov

Photo of a group of war veterans
As the Jewish community grapples with fears of our eroding security in post-10/7 America, nobody wants to consider the question of whether we have enjoyed that security up to this point by right or by debt.