It’s a true story.
Touro University recently unveiled a new branch of its College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls, Montana. With a shortage of healthcare professionals in the state, the program aims to establish a stable workforce pipeline, ensuring vital care to Montanans.
During the grand opening in August, Governor Greg Gianforte addressed the pressing need for skilled medical staff. "We have such a shortage of health care workers, doctors in particular, and it's been shown that when students study in a certain locality and then do their residency in those communities, they put down deep roots."
Touro, a university deeply rooted in Jewishtradition and values, is America’s largest not- for-profit institution of higher educationunder Jewish auspices. Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Executive Vice President and Ombudsman for Touro University, highlighted the institution's commitment to serving the underserved. "We're thrilled to establish a campus in a community that is in dire need of young, talented, and well-educated doctors.” The initiative, a brainchildof Dr. Alan Kadish, President of Touro, operates in collaboration with Benefis Medical Center.
A distinctive feature of this educational outpost is its kosher kitchen, overseen by the Vaad Hakashrus of Montana, under the auspices of Rabbi Chaim Bruk, Co-CEO of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana.
"We're thrilled to establish a campus in a community that is in dire need of young, talented, and well-educated doctors."
Contrary to what one might assume, the purpose of a kosher kitchen way out in the high desert of Montana isn’t only to serve existing Jewish students and faculty or to attract prospective ones. "Irrespective of demand, we need to create a venue for kosher catering and kosher food sales. This is how we do business. We are true to our Jewish roots," stated Krupka.
So in tandem with completing the 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art campus, Touro hired Chabadcouple, Rabbi Mendel & Devorah Leah Spiero, to head the kosher kitchen. "My day starts at 6:30 AM when breakfast is served and I’m here till about 3 PM every day after lunch."
The warm reception received by the Spieros has been heartening. "My neighbor gave me a kosher welcome package shipped from New Jersey." The Spieros are eager to meet the local Jewish community even if isn’t part of their job description. "There are Jews in the city, I’m not gonna get to know them?"
Aaron Weissman a local restauranteur, is a third-generation Montanan. His family arrived, as he puts it, "when the Czar threw us out."
His great-grandfather worked for Anaconda Copper in Butte, Montana, and the family has stayed put ever since. "This is my home, I wouldn’t dream of leaving."
"I’m a ski patroller and first responder, so I’m aware of the shortage of skilled medical staff in Montana. There is a philosophy towards tikkun olam this is how we do it," said Weissman.
Bob Kelly, the Mayor of Great Falls says with cities like Bozeman and Missoula surpassing their growth capacity, Great Falls has an open door. "If people are willing to come here and invest, my job is to welcome them and help make it happen."
When asked whether the Jewish nature of the school is impacting its reception, he replied, "If anything, we feel the pain of what is happening in Israel more. The world becomes smaller when you have neighbors in harm's way."
Rabbi Bruk is particularly energized by this project. "Seeing the community of Great Falls be part of this project has been incredible. This joint Touro-Vaad Hakashrus-Chabad collaboration is unprecedented. This will not only be a resource for Jewish life in Great Falls but across the Montana High-Line."
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