Uncertainty Tests Postville's Jews

But will Postville's Jewish community ever come to grips with the crimes committed in its name?

Uncertainty, change test Postville's Jews
TONY LEYS • Des Moines Register
 
Postville, Ia. - A few dozen Jewish families have left this northeast Iowa town in the year since federal agents raided their employer.

About two-thirds of the unusual enclave remains, however, and in the 12 months since the raid, change and uncertainty have moved in.

Several hundred followers of the Lubavitch branch of Orthodox Judaism began settling here in the 1980s. They were attracted by jobs at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant, which became the nation's largest supplier of kosher beef and chicken.

The plant is in bankruptcy now, and its operations are limited to a pared-down poultry line. Work is less plentiful than it used to be, and residents are uncertain if anyone will buy the plant, or if a new owner would support their community the way the old owner did.

Some of the men, no longer offered full-time hours at the struggling Agriprocessors plant, travel during the week to other meatpacking plants in Nebraska or Minnesota. They return to their wives and children in Postville in time for Friday night Sabbath dinner.

"It's a miracle we're still here today. It's from God," said Rabbi Aaron Schimmel.

Schimmel has lived 12 years in Postville, where he supports a wife and six children. He laughed ruefully when asked how likely it was that he and other Jews could sell their houses here if they decided to move from Postville.

"You'd have to pay someone money to take your house," he said, only half-kidding.

For-sale signs already are visible all over Postville. With the city's main employer in limbo, there are few potential homebuyers. If the plant closes, scores more Jewish families probably would leave, adding to the glut of houses for sale.

Amy Dickel, an Orthodox Jew who works as a Postville insurance agent, said the Jews who left tended to be young single people or new families who were renting homes and had not put down deep roots.

"The people who are here now really want to live here," she said. "It's not just about a job to them."

Jews here describe themselves as optimists who put their trust in God.

Tuesday morning, they held an annual parade through downtown to celebrate a holiday called Lag b'Omer. The parade was a joyful affair, complete with floats, a drum line and dozens of costumed grade-schoolers.

Most of the decorations focused on the holiday, but several made reference to the town's upheaval. A sign on a pickup truck full of dancing teenage boys read: "We the people made Postville a piece of heaven!!! Then 'they' (the outsiders) turned Postville into pieces."

Another sign showed distaste for animal-rights and union activists, whom Agriprocessors' supporters blame for the company's downfall. "Truth builds our community," the sign read, "agendas destroy it."

Members of the community hoped Agriprocessors would be sold by now. Although an unidentified investor bought out some of the plant's debt last week, people here said they didn't know who the person is or whether the move would lead to a sale.

Many of Postville's Jewish families hung on last fall and winter when they weren't getting paid by the faltering plant. Many fed their families with kosher foods donated by Jewish groups in other states.

The situation has improved a bit in recent months, as an outside trustee has restarted limited production. But life is not back to normal, and no one is sure what to expect.

Even if the company is sold, the Postville Jews worry that a new owner might not be as generous as the old owners were.

The Rubashkin family, which ran the plant for decades, supported the religious schools, the synagogue and kosher deli, all of which are necessary to keep the enclave going.

The family's leaders face state and federal charges, and the government has portrayed them as callous businessmen who took advantage of poor Hispanic immigrants.

But Jewish people here saw a different side of the family. They still voice support for Sholom Rubashkin, a former company manager who faces numerous charges that could bring decades of prison time. Rubashkin attended Tuesday's celebration, and men continually approached him with smiles and handshakes.

Giora Bass, who has lived here about 15 years, said Rubashkin was known for his quiet generosity. "You need money, you go see Sholom," he said. "You need food, you go see Sholom. You need rent, you go see Sholom."

Bass, who used to work at Agriprocessors, said he couldn't condone hiring illegal immigrants. "But I never saw abuse," he said.

Rubashkin's son Getzel said, "We're a people of faith. We hope there will be a happy ending for everybody."

Postville Lag Ba'Omer parade video.

The man who bought Agriprocessors $10 million line of credit.

Comments

[Nachos]

"We the people made Postville a piece of heaven!!! Then 'they' (the outsiders) turned Postville into pieces"

If Postville is heaven, then what is hell like?

Rubashkin will continue to get squished until he begins to realize that it is G-d doing the squishing. The only way out is repentance.

Bottom line is he does not have the faith to stand before the courts, because he does not beleive that G-d will protect him.

Shalom, you are a man that has no faith in Hashem. Your actions are proof of it!!!!

[Hometown Postville]

"You need money, you go see Sholom," he said. "You need food, you go see Sholom. You need rent, you go see Sholom."
Obviously he did not share his wealth with his employees. Anyone have a clue to the pay scale on the organizational chart? Shmarya- any way you could do some research and find this out? How about an estimate of SMR's net worth? That might be quite a challenge, especially if the accounts are buried under his kid's names, other alias, or lounging in some island bank by the equator!

[Yochanan Lavie]

Smell Town (apologies to John Mellencamp):

[Sholom sings]:

Well I was born in a big city
And I treated Postville shitty
Prob'ly die in a jail cell
Oh, those big travesties

All my friends are so small minded
My parents live with the same mentality
My jobs ruined a small town
Providing little opportunity

Educated in a small yeshiva
Taught the fear of Rebbegod in yeshiva
Used to daydream of being a macher
Another boring fanatic that's me

But I've done it all to a small town
Had myself some bail in a small town
Married a Bais Yaakov doll and brought her to this small town
Now she's Rubbishcan just like me

Yes I can forget the torah that I come from
I can forget the people who enriched me
Yeah, I drink Mountain Dew here in this small town
And people, nu, let me be the crook I want to be

Got nothing against a big kehilla
Still chosid enough to say
"Look who's in the big shul"
But Agri is in a small town
Oy, and that's good enough for me

Well I was born in a shtetl
And I can thieve in a small town
Gonna die in this small cell
And that's prob'ly where they'll bury me

[Nachum]

I'd just like to clear one detail up: Is there any Jew in Postville who is not connected to Rubashkin's in some way? I'm never sure how sorry to feel here. Obviously, there may be many Jewish (mostly Chabad, I assume, but correct me if I'm wrong there too) Rubashkin's employees who got badly screwed by their bosses who deserve our sympathy and help, but I'd feel a lot worse for others, if they exist.

[Nachos]

Nachum:

I used to consider myself part of the Postville community. That is where I went to shul etc.., and I am not connected to Shalom.

[Yoel Mechanic]

It would be nice to know what is going on in meat packing plants across the USA, just to get a better focus on context. A second idea to share: if one truly believes that the workers at Agriprocessors were not abused, and nothing wrong was done...let's say one deep down believes that hiring illegal aliens is acceptable and that the US government is wrong to outlaw this, then one would have to conclude the workers themselves were innocent victims and be ready to help them out too. One would have to feel they were bucking wrong laws of the US government, say so in public and try to change those laws, all in the name of civil disobedience. Now where are these public proclamations? The basic idea is that if the Rabashkins' managers are innocent, then *everyone* is innocent and the US labor laws are wrong and would have to be changed. Now I am just stating a hypothetical position (which I don't necessarily believe myself) to point out how someone who did feel Rabashkin was innocent would have to behave if they desired to be consistent and fair. Third idea: I do not feel this issue should be used to bash the orthodox Jewish community, that they "come to terms" with what happened; rather it is better to see what is fair and just and move in that direction. Similarly though, I am dismayed to hear a LaG Bomer parade being used as a vehicle to direct vague blame to those with "agendas"... some explicit cheshbone needs to be made to move forward.

[lobbying4peace]

Nachum:

Postville is a small community and it is impossible not to know the Rubashkins if you live here. If you are asking if there are people here who make their own parnosah unrelated to the plant, then the answer is yes, of course. Postville is a charming community and a wonderful place to raise children. The cost of living is relatively lower than many other frum communities in the country. It does draw entreprenuers who have no connection to the plant. Most of the people who live here are shomer shabbos, but some are not. Lubavitchers make up roughly half of the Jewish community.

[Shmarya]

And 98.5% of that other half are haredim.

[State of Postville III]

It is puzzling why they think Postville is such a reasonable, wonderful place to live. Decorah has much cheaper water rates and offers shopping, hospital etc. A person has to travel 75 miles to a mall. There is absolutely minimal shopping here or recreational endeavors. If one doesn't get along with the hierarachy it is ruthless. What is so fascinating--green grass which they hate to mow, bitter winters. Do they all have relatives living here? The plant is the only employment so if that doesn't work out where do they work?

[Nachos]

" Postville is a charming community and a wonderful place to raise children. The cost of living is relatively lower than many other frum communities in the country"

I never in a million years thought I would find myself agreeing with lobbying4peace. lol!!!

Most contacts that I have had with the gentile population in Postville have been great. The town has many "salt of the Earth" people living there.

Living in Postville is nothing like "Nazi occupied Poland." In fact, many gentiles from the Postville area lost their lives or were gravely wounded trying to free the real Nazi occupied Poland. That is why I am so angry that the Rubashkins would attempt to claim that Postville is like Nazi occupied Poland.
Lobbying4peace, do you agree that the Rubashkins should retract that statement?

[Martin]

Nachos,Lobbying for peace,
Can you guys give us an idea of how many Jewish families live in Postville and a total of the Jewish community?
I was surprised to see that there are some secular Jews there.Why would they move there?
From what I've read, till Agri opened up shop in Postville it was almost totally caucasian, non Jewish.So why would a secular Jew move there now?

[Nachum]

Yeah, I guess that's what I meant: Even if they don't work directly for Rubashkin's, most if not all of the Jews are there because of the plant, right? There were few to zero Jews there before it opened?

Again, I'm not saying they don't deserve sympathy. I just ask for information.

[state of disgust]

Rough estimate: about 80 families. The haredi claim a higher number but I don't think there has been an accurate census. Maryn was talking about doing one but don't know if it ever got done or if they would be able to differentiate between Chabad, Satmar, Bobover, etc.
Used to be higher but those (renters) with connections to other plants and places moved. Those who bought houses, bought anchors and can't afford to leave: they're toughing it out in hopes things will turn around. If they're finding work in plants in MN that would be great - sorta like the Mexicans and Guatemalans working in the US and sending money back home to support the family. Wonder if they're paying taxes in both states.

[Max]

Rabbi Aaron Goldsmith owns a hospital bed manufacturing company in Postville. Although he is an occassional spokesman for the Rubashkins he claims not to be a blood relative.

[lobbying4peace]

Nachum:

>>Even if they don't work directly for Rubashkin's, most if not all of the Jews are there because of the plant, right? There were few to zero Jews there before it opened?

Yes, there were few to zero Jews here before the plant opened. But again, not everyone is connected to the plant, now. There are a number of people who do their own thing, completely unrelated.

Martin:

>>I was surprised to see that there are some secular Jews there.Why would they move there?

The plant did/does employ a number of secular people.

Nachos:

I never heard that statement from them so I guess I would have to know in what context it was said and all the details before I would answer that question.

My dealings with people here have been similar to yours. I get along great with everyone. It is only when I get on this website and view the nasty comments from some of the natives here that I wonder if its all a facade.

[Nachos]

lobbying4peace:

"I never heard that statement from them so I guess I would have to know in what context it was said and all the details before I would answer that question. "

What context would it be ok to make that statement?

Max: How is Rabbi Goldsmith? Somebody told me awhile back that he was ill. Is he doing better? I want nothing more than for him to obtain a full recovery.

[concerned citizen]

To Whom it may concern: Curious Postville Native is with me right now! CPNS computor is in the hospital, but will be home today!!!!!! Stay Tuned.

[state of disgust]

I have not seen him for awhile but last I heard he was doing better.
I too wish him well.

[Max]

I saw Aaron Goldsmith on the 12th and he looked pretty good. But payers are always appropriate.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Best wishes to CPN.

[just wondering]

I have a pondering question. Where were these Jewish members of this community when all the "bad" things were happening at Agri? They describe themselves as optimists who put their trust in God. Where is there trust in mankind? Hear, speak and see no evil? Makes me wonder if it truly is God or Shalom? If the Jewish community in Postville really believe Postville is such a great place to live, then they also have the obligation to make it a great place, a safe envirnoment for all, a place to be proud of. You can't tell me they didn't see anything or hear anything. They should have been mandatory reporters for all the crimes against mankind. They hold a responsibility to themselves and this town. Sholom may have treated the Jewish population with dignity and favors but there are many other nationalities here which deserve the same dignity and honor!
"We the people made Postville a piece of heaven!!! Then 'they' (the outsiders) turned Postville into pieces."
This statement just doesn't cut it for the long time residents of this town. Postville was a piece of heaven before the Jewish community came and the "outsiders" were the ones trying to maintain it.

[Curious Postville Native]

[It is only when I get on this website and view the nasty comments from some of the natives here that I wonder if its all a facade.]

L4P-

This statement would be much more applicable if it read . . . It is only when I get on this website and view the nasty comments from some of the natives and Jewish people alike, that I wonder if its all a facade.

[just wondering]

Welcome back CPN!!!!!
We've missed you!!!!!!!!!!

[Curious Postville Native]

L4P-

Do you see how judgmental your comment is; now that I altered its content to include everyone who posts on this website?

[Curious Postville Native]

Thanks everybody-

It's good to be back ! ! ! ! !

[Curious Postville Nativ!]

The second meeting with the focus of rebuilding Postville is set for tomorrow, late afternoon @ 5:30. It will be held at Turner Hall. If you are serious about working with community members to restructure Postville, I URGE you to attend.

. . . and Getzel, you said you would try to be there! DON'T DISAPPOINT ! ! ! ! !

[sage]

Nice to see you back, CPN.

Please keep us informed about what happens at this meeting, tomorrow.

On a parallel thread, it's been reported that Iowa State folks are working on find a bonafide buyer for Agri, etc.

Sounds like Iowa has had it with Sarachek and will push him and his enablers aside. Good move.

It would be great if Agri, under new and honest management, would be producing non-Kosher meat, as that would give the OU a well earned heave-ho.

[State of Postville III]

Good luck on rebuilding Postville.Being at the Planning & Zoning Mtg. and Board of Adjustment meeting tells a lot. Postville's image doesn't matter the good ole boys have no vision. Amy Dickel on the Board of Adjustment actually prefers the Somalis Place of Prayer to Club 51 for a neighbor. The mayor is at Club 51 with his buddies a lot --playing cards of course during the day. Postville continues with their good-hearted attitude and continues to be WALKED on by whomever. Maybe one gets cynical.

[State of Postville III]

CPN welcome back. Your comments are always so insightful and interesting. You are a smart person and a good community member. Postville needs many more of your caliber.

[sage]

Frankly, it's going to be be difficult rebuilding Postville, if the RCF and its supporters continue living in the area.

It's sort of like non-smokers thinking their health is not at risk, even when they are living among smokers.

[State of Postville III]

Sage you are so right, especially when there are those who brought "a little bit of heaven" when they moved here. Wonder what it was before that???? Let's see, friendly, clean & neat, flowers -in fact there was a contest for "yard of the week" because so many people had beautiful lawns. Alas, that "little bit" of heaven is gone forever--the flower gardens are now overrun by weeds! So sad. Oh yes, now stands a "For Sale by Owner" sign in many yards--some more of "little bit of heaven" gone awry.

[Curious Postville Native]

[Amy Dickel on the Board of Adjustment actually prefers the Somalis Place of Prayer to Club 51 for a neighbor.]

I believe there is a place for everything. I feel Main Street, in a small community, should be lined with businesses, not places of worship. This is simply good business sense. The new request, currently undergoing consideration as a prospective place of worship, is the old Nyberg building, formerly Miller Insurance, located on the four-corner stop.

I can't help but to wonder-

Are the leaders of this community really interested in prospering the town?

[sage]

This Amy Dickel you speak of might want to consider having several libations of "George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey" daily.

Maybe, that might bring her to her senses.

[Curious Postville Native]

We need to find solutions!

i.e.-

Why not emphasize the safe, quaint neighborhood this small city could offer without the presense of a meat-packing facility. Let people who make decisions, with regard to education, know the REC building is "For Sale'. It would be a fabulus learning center.

Remember-

If you are able to attend (rearrange your schedule, if necessary) the problem-solving 'Mission Meeting' is -

TODAY! -5:30 @ TURNER HALL

'Be there' or 'beware'.

[State of Postville III]

CPN-the building for the place of prayer is the Goldsmith building, the north side not the old Nyberg building. When it was brought up that it should be for retail, one of the men stated better to have it used than sit empty. This is not always a good philosphy, because it is better to have nothing than something damaging. The main street should be for business. This is not good for image either if there is a lot of loitering and smoking outside the building! Too late for six months. No one was there to give argument for keeping it for retail. One "no"vote.

[Curious Postville Native]

I was told, the Nyberg building, at the present time, is the prospective site for worship by the Ethiopian people-now living in Postville, this-according to the Zoning Commissioner.

[Curious Postville Native]

SOP III has explained the statements she made. Presently, I am convinced the (Ethiopian) people are, in fact, Somalian and the place of worship is the 'Goldsmith' building.

Thanks SOP III!

[Curious Postville Native]

[This Amy Dickel you speak of might want to consider having several libations of "George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey" daily.]

Sage-

ATD might want to sit around the campfire with lobbying4peace. I think they'd find it remarkably easy to understand one another.

[sage]

LOL!!!!

[lobbying4peace]

CPN:

HA! HA! HA! Hilarious! Just like you and State of Postville III?!

[Curious Postville Native]

L4P-

At least if I sat around the campfire with SOP III, I'd have another person to chat with.

[lobbying4peace]

CPN-

In that case I should have suggested "Just like you and Linda Szabo"?

[Concerned for the Postville area..]

L4P,
Everyone knows who CPN is because she has posted with her real name before on several occasions. So Amy the joke seems to be on you! HA HA

[Curious Postville Native]

Yes Amy, that is correct. And now, while everyone knew who I was, they will now also know who you are.

[lobbying4peace]

CPA and CPN:

I am sorry to inform you, but the joke is not on Tamar. It is on you. I think it is HILARIOUS that you think you know who I am. YOU DON'T!!!!!!!!

[Concerned for the Postville area..]

Ok, if your not Amy than you are definitely Aaron.

[lobbying4peace]

CPA:

HA! HA! HA! EVEN FUNNIER!!!!!!!

I'm a little prettier than Aaron Goldsmith. (Sorry Aaron, you know it's true :)

[Curious Postville Native]

Sage-

The 'Mission Meeting' was very positive. We met in small groups to set goals for the various interests we hope to achieve. There was a good representation of the community in attendance.

The next meeting will be held June 9.

[Curious Postville Native]

BTW-

People really are trying to work together to restore the integrity of our beautiful little city. Hopefully, we will blend in the future to become 'ONE-sided', a unified community.

*Some will ask-

Did anyone represent the Rubashkin family at the meeting?

YG (This is a very good sign.)

[curious]

L4P is not the insurance agent.

[Curious Postville Native]

[L4P is not the insurance agent.--Posted by: curious | May 19, 2009 at 11:10 PM]

Readers-

Please do not confuse 'Curious' with 'Curious Postville Native'. The 11:10 post was not mine.

Good night :)

[sage]

+++ BTW-

People really are trying to work together to restore the integrity of our beautiful little city. Hopefully, we will blend in the future to become 'ONE-sided', a unified community.

*Some will ask-

Did anyone represent the Rubashkin family at the meeting?

YG (This is a very good sign.)

Posted by: Curious Postville Native | May 19, 2009 at 10:32 PM +++

Thanks, CPN for your report.

Question:

What did YG do or say at the meeting to give you a positive feeling?

[Curious Postville Native]

Greetings Sage-

It is a very interesting process to be involved with. YG selected to work with the group I was participating with-'City Infrastructure'. He was very receptive to the idea of working together, recognizing unity as a crucial element in 're-establishing' our small city. YG is linked to the Rubashkins. His attendance is necessary. I surmise he might feel a little uncomfortable attending the meetings. I'm glad he chooses to include himself.

[S]

how many Ethiopians are living in Postville now? There is or was an Aramaic language newspaper for them in the Twin Cities.

[Shmarya]

Zero. Amharic.