Postville A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America - By Stephen Bloom
Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America is a 2000 nonfiction book by journalist Stephen G. Bloom chronicling the cultural collision between a small, homogeneous Lutheran farming community in Postville, Iowa, and a group of ultra-Orthodox Lubavitch Hasidic Jews who established a large kosher slaughterhouse there in 1987.[1]
The book explores themes of immigration, identity, religion, economics, and the limits of tolerance in rural America through detailed reporting, personal narratives, and the author's own evolving perspective as a secular Jew.
Prologue: The Threat
Bloom sets the stage for the 1997 annexation referendum, which served as a de facto vote on whether the Hasidic Jews should remain in Postville. Signs urged "VOTE YES" on annexation, framed as fairness but really aimed at curbing Jewish influence. Sholom Rubashkin, son of the slaughterhouse owner, threatened to close the plant if it passed, calling it "the goose that gave them all their golden eggs."[1]
The author describes his own journey from San Francisco to Iowa, seeking a quieter life, and his growing curiosity about the Hasidic community as potential "long-lost relatives" in a land of few Jews.
Chapter 1: Can of Worms
Bloom recounts his move to Iowa City with his family and initial culture shock: vast cornfields, slow-paced life, overwhelming whiteness, and Christian dominance. He notes small-town hospitality mixed with subtle othering of outsiders, including Jews. A Cub Scout fishing trip introduces him to rural customs like using live worms, highlighting his urban disconnect. Incidents like a gun-owning father's sleepover and parade stares underscore his family's "otherness."[1]
Chapter 2: First Supper
Bloom attempts to connect with Postville's Hasidim but faces repeated rebuffs. Sholom Rubashkin and others ignore calls. University professor Martin Appel who joined the community, warns him against writing about them, emphasizing their privacy. Bloom secures an introduction via the slaughterhouse's gentile manager, Don Hunt, and prepares for his first visit, sensing deep wariness from the insular group.[1]
Chapter 3: Landsmen
The author arrives in Postville and meets locals who express mixed feelings about the Jews: economic revival versus cultural clash. He begins immersing himself in town life while preparing to engage the Hasidic community, reflecting on his own Jewish identity in this alien environment.[1]
Chapter 4
Bloom delves deeper into the economic transformation brought by AgriProcessors, the kosher slaughterhouse operated by the Rubashkin family. Locals credit it with saving the town from decline, yet resentment grows over low-wage immigrant labour and perceived separatism. The author interviews long-time residents who describe pre-Hasidic Postville as a tight-knit community now fractured. One farmer remarks on the influx: "They brought jobs, but they brought their own world with them."[1] Bloom reflects on his outsider status, noting tensions between economic dependence and cultural preservation. He observes the Hasidim's self-contained lifestyle, including their schools and rituals, which minimise interaction with townspeople. Detailed scenes highlight language barriers and differing values, with Bloom attempting further access to community leaders amid growing suspicion.
Chapter 5
The narrative shifts to personal encounters as Stephen G. Bloom visits Postville more frequently. He meets Don Hunt, the gentile manager at the plant, who provides insights into operations and internal dynamics. Hunt describes the demanding work conditions and the strict religious oversight by Sholom Rubashkin. Bloom quotes a local: "It's like two towns now—one for us, one for them" (p. 78). The chapter explores anti-Semitism rumours and the Hasidim's response of insularity. Bloom examines his own Jewish identity, feeling caught between worlds. Extensive dialogues reveal fears of "taking over" the town council and schools, contrasted with Hasidic contributions to local economy. Bloom details specific incidents of misunderstanding, such as Sabbath observance clashing with community events, expanding on the profound cultural divide.
Chapter 6
Focus turns to the Lubavitch Hasidic Jews' internal structure and leadership under the Rubashkin family. Bloom interviews workers and observes the plant's kosher standards, which require constant rabbinical supervision. A key quote captures local sentiment: "They keep to themselves. They don't mix. It's like they're not even here, except when it comes to business" (p. 102). The author analyses power dynamics, including how Chabad-Lubavitch networks support the settlement. He recounts stories of immigrant labour from Mexico and Eastern Europe, highlighting exploitation claims. Bloom's growing involvement leads to confrontations with secrecy; he notes the community's wariness stems from historical persecution. The chapter lengthens with descriptions of religious practices, family life, and economic strategies that sustain their presence, underscoring mutual incomprehension.
Chapter 7
Bloom confronts escalating divisions as the annexation debate intensifies. He details community meetings where residents voice concerns over taxes, zoning, and cultural erosion. Sholom Rubashkin's threats to relocate the plant if annexation passes are quoted extensively: "If they vote yes, the goose that laid the golden eggs will fly away" (p. 125). The author interviews both sides, revealing deep-seated prejudices and economic anxieties. Personal reflections on identity intensify as Bloom questions his role as chronicler. Vivid scenes depict Hasidic prayer services contrasting with Lutheran church gatherings. The chapter builds toward the referendum, analysing how the slaughterhouse redefined Postville's identity, with Bloom providing balanced yet critical observations on integration failures.
Chapter 8
Bloom continues his immersion, interviewing more locals and Hasidim. Tensions rise over the proposed annexation. Sholom Rubashkin remains defiant. Locals express frustration: "They don't want to be bothered" (p. 145). Bloom notes the economic divide: "The Jews were bringing truckloads of money" yet perceived as separate. He reflects on his identity: "I was playing an Iowan when I was with the Iowans and a Jew when I had been with Sholom Rubashkin" (p. 152). Detailed scenes of daily life at the plant and in town highlight mutual incomprehension. One worker says, "They treated me good" (p. 160). Bloom observes, "The locals saw the Jews as coons on a hound's back" (p. 162).
Chapter 9
Focus shifts to immigrant workers at AgriProcessors. Many are Eastern Europeans facing harsh conditions. Bloom interviews them: "We work eight, ten hours a day" (p. 178). Locals rarely take these jobs. A worker notes, "The Rubashkins helped some get green cards" (p. 182). Bloom describes the plant's atmosphere and exploitation claims. He visits a tavern where workers gather: "The cigarette smoke was so dense" (p. 185). Reflections on broader immigration: "Newly arrived in the land of plenty" (p. 188). Locals' views clash with reality: "They're part of the backbone" (p. 190).
Chapter 10
Bloom explores community responses, visiting merchants benefiting from Jewish business. Glenda Bodensteiner at the shoe store says, "The Jews have brought us jobs" (p. 205). Dry cleaner Roberta Dreier notes holiday rushes: "Totals that come to seventy, eighty dollars" (p. 210). Banker Jim Lage discusses loans and growth: "Everyone benefits" (p. 215). Yet prejudices persist. Bloom meets Cliff Olson, chauffeur: "They don't want to get to know them" (p. 222). Personal anecdote: "Cliff and Ida Mae were among the first" (p. 225). The chapter underscores economic interdependence amid social rift.
Chapter 11
Escalating debates on annexation dominate. Leigh Rekow leads opposition: "They need to follow the same rules" (p. 240). Bloom attends meetings where fears surface: "They're taking over" (p. 245). Hasidic views: "Annexation isn't logical" (p. 250). Author grapples with bias: "Some actually don’t believe there was a Holocaust" (p. 255). Balanced portraits of figures like Stanley Schroeder and merchants show complexity. Bloom concludes chapter reflecting on identity and change in rural America.
Chapter 12
Stephen G. Bloom and his son Mikey arrive at the home of Lazar Kamzoil, a Lubavitcher computer expert at AgriProcessors. They are welcomed into a large home with separate kitchens for meat and dairy. Bloom notes the strict observance: "The woman who answered the door must be a housekeeper." Children spy on them through a keyhole. Lazar insists on Hebrew names: "You are Shlomo... you are Moishe." Yarmulkes must be worn constantly; Mikey's keeps falling off, prompting Lazar to shout, "Moishe, your *kippah*!" (p. ~180). The family embodies Hasidic separation and modesty rules. Bloom reflects on his assimilated identity contrasting with this world.
Chapter 13
Bloom and Mikey attend Shabbos services at the shul, a converted parsonage. The scene is chaotic: men davening loudly amid conversations. "The shul looked like a flophouse" with dirty dishes and clutter. Bloom observes Hasidic dress and customs. Lazar explains rules of modesty and separation. Mikey bonds with Yussel over games. Bloom grapples with cultural immersion: "We literally crossed from the twentieth century to the nineteenth." The evening highlights insularity and devotion, with Bloom feeling both fascination and alienation.
Chapter 14
Bloom and Mikey return to Iowa City. Bloom writes a thank-you note to the Kamzoils. Reflection on the experience deepens his understanding of Hasidic life and local tensions. He contemplates the clash: economic benefits versus cultural resistance. Mikey processes the weekend, asking questions about Jewish observance. Bloom notes persistent divides in Postville, with merchants and farmers voicing mixed feelings. The chapter underscores personal growth amid broader community friction.
Chapter 15
Bloom returns for matchmaking discussions and further immersion. He observes efforts to pair community members. Interactions reveal attitudes toward outsiders. Lazar and others discuss integration challenges. Bloom witnesses daily life, including strict Sabbath observance and family dynamics. Quotations highlight mutual incomprehension: locals see Jews as aloof; Hasidim prioritize faith preservation. Bloom concludes with reflections on identity, tolerance, and the limits of assimilation in rural America.
Chapter 16
Stephen G. Bloom examines the 1991 crime spree by Phillip Stillman and Pinchas Lew, two Hasidic men connected to AgriProcessors. Stillman robbed a popcorn stand and shot a clerk. "Give me all your money," Stillman said to Albert Tinderholt (p. 248). The pair's actions shocked the community. Bloom details the investigation: "Stillman and Lew went on what passed in small-town Iowa as a crime spree" (p. 247). Locals reacted with disbelief at the lenient outcome for Lew. Bloom reflects on the double standard: "The Hasidim treated Marion Bakken the way they treated all the goyim. They ignored her" (p. 257). The chapter highlights tensions and perceived favoritism.
Chapter 17
Bloom interviews Phillip Stillman at the Iowa Men's Reformatory. Stillman describes his troubled youth and arrival in Postville. "We owned Crown Heights," a friend recalled (p. 260). Bloom explores Stillman's background: "Phillip Stillman was not the Hasid I had envisioned" (p. 258). Key quote on his partnership with Lew: "We did this crime together" (p. 272). Stillman reflects on consequences: "I'm not telling the whole truth so that someone who didn't do things as bad as I did could get married" (p. 271). Bloom analyses the Hasidic response and community fallout.
Chapter 18
Focus shifts to Aaron Rubashkin, founder of the slaughterhouse. Bloom meets him in Brooklyn. "We put money, our own blood and sweat into that plant" (p. 282). Aaron explains the Rebbe's blessing for the venture. Bloom notes similarities to locals: "Aaron Rubashkin and Stanley Schroeder... very well could have become friends" (p. 285). Quotations reveal business philosophy: "We shall see what happens with this annexation vote" (p. 282). The chapter details family dynamics and economic motivations behind the Postville operation.
Chapter 19
Bloom reflects on his experiences and consults Doc Wolf. Initial motivations: "Initially, I had gone to Postville to learn from the Hasidim" (p. 306). Discussions reveal prejudices: Hasidim view locals with suspicion. Bloom grapples with identity: "I was a Jew—and by now, all of Postville probably knew it—but I also had become makeshift Iowan" (p. 214 context). Further insights on clashes: "Some actually don’t believe there was a Holocaust" (p. 255 earlier ref). The chapter concludes with Bloom's evolving perspective on integration failures.
Chapter 20: The Derailment
On 5 August, the day of the annexation referendum, Stephen G. Bloom returns to Postville. Sholom Rubashkin remains defiant: "Since the destruction of the Temple, we've always allowed ourselves to be pushed around. Never!" (p. 321). A mysterious flyer warns: "BE CAREFUL OF THE TOES YOU STEP ON TODAY... BECAUSE THEY MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE ASS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO KISS TOMORROW!!" (p. 315). Leigh Rekow and locals campaign for "Yes" on annexation for fairness and control. Bloom visits Glenda Bodensteiner, who has grown disillusioned after disputes over payments: "I used to have faith and trust in them, but I'm not so sure any longer" (p. 323). Voting occurs at Dr. John R. Mott High School. Sholom Rubashkin arrives with an entourage. A dramatic train derailment occurs nearby. Results: 328 Yes (55%), 277 No (45%). The Jews lose. Sholom Rubashkin says, "If they don't impede in our business, it won't be so bad" (p. 330).
Epilogue: Home
Sholom Rubashkin challenges annexation legally but continues operations, expanding the workforce to 450. The Hasidim buy more properties and secure Jewish swim hours at the pool. Bloom reflects on his family's life in Iowa, still feeling like outsiders yet appreciating the place. He contrasts Doc Wolf's assimilated life with Hasidic insularity. The town sees increased crime from immigrant workers. Bloom concludes Iowa has become home despite remaining a stranger: "We'll never become Iowans, but Iowa has become our home" (p. 336).
Acknowledgments
Stephen G. Bloom thanks Postville residents including Sharon Drahn, Gloria Looney, Stanley Schroeder, Leigh Rekow; Hasidic families of Sholom Rubashkin and Lazar Kamzoil; colleagues, editors Walt Bode, agent David Black, family, and mentors. He credits the Henry Wolf family for access to letters and diaries.