Part 6: Beth Tikvah

Back at our office, we access RavGoogle.



Searching for Joe DeMarco brings no results; maybe we'll have more luck with Beth Tikvah?






Rabbi Zelig, you say?






I believe we should pay our fellow Rabbi a visit.



He should know a thing or two about Lauder, shouldn't he?



Quite a contrast to Rabbi Stone's shabby temple.



Services must have just ended, as they hadn't gotten around to putting the torah away yet.

I can't believe they're just leaving it here for anyone to come in and take it.

They must have dozens of them in a back room somewhere.

We can, of course, try taking it with us.

I couldn't steal a Torah from another man's synagogue!

Besides, it was too heavy.



A large, tasteful, stained glass window surveyed the synagogue from its high vantage point.

...

I suppose it's okay.



The cantor's lectern was an elegant affair made from lacquered oak. It looked brand new.

...

Meh. I've seen better.



A tasteful podium of lacquered oak. It looked brand new and smelled of recent polish.

...

Meh. I've seen better.



Rabbi Zelig doesn't have financial problems of any kind, that much is clear.



Several of the photos showed a group of children sitting around a table.

Two men flanked the children, smiling at the camera like they just won the lottery.

A caption read: "J. Silver and E. Goldberg, on duty at the Beth Tikvah Youth Center."



Let's see if we can have a chat with Rabbi Zelig.



You're the chief rabbi here at Beth Tikvah?

I do carry that honor.

So what can I do for you, Mister...?

Rabbi, actually. Rabbi Stone.



I can always spare time for a fellow rabbi. What brings you to our humble synagogue?



Do you know Mr. Jack Lauder?

Should I know Mr. Jack Lauder?

Flippant answer
Honest answer
> Rabbinical response

Don't you think you SHOULD know Jack Lauder?

Why do you think so?

Wasn't he a member of your congregation?

Was he?

Don't you know your own congregation?



Well...



Looks like the other Rabbi has outrabbied our Rabbi.

Are you finished?

I guess.

Wonderful!



He was a member of your congregation. He died a few days ago.

That's right. The funeral service was yesterday.



You conducted the ceremony?

Yes. His wife insisted on it.

Did she show?

If I may ask, what is your interest in Mr. Lauder?

Personal reasons
Financial reasons
> Rabbinical reasons

Aren't all matters of our flock our concern?

Well, not EVERY matter.



> Ask about Jack Lauder
Consult your notes
Leave

Is there anything you can tell me about Mr. Lauder?

I'm afraid not, Rabbi Stone.



I'm sure I don't need to tell you what that's like.

You certainly don't.

> Consult your notes
Leave



Are you familiar with an "Ethan G"?

Ethan... Gee? Is that his name?

Just an initial, as far as I know.

Ah. Well, nothing leaps to mind, I'm afraid.



Does the name "Joe DeMarco" mean anything to you?

DeMarco?

Yes.

Sounds Italian.

Other than that... it means nothing. Sorry.



Did a Joe DeMarco ever belong to this temple?

DeMarco? That's hardly a Jewish name.

I know.

Although, it's difficult to say.



He was an investor in Jack Lauder's company. Does that mean anything to you?

I don't know. Should it?

No. I suppose not.



Do you know anything about Ethan G. meeting up with Joe DeMarco?

In all honesty, I have no idea who Joe DeMarco is. So I'm afraid the answer is no.

Consult your notes
> Leave

Good night to you, Rabbi Zelig.

Good night to you, Rabbi Stone.



Thank you, Rabbi Zelig, you've been a great help.