BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue January 27, 2014



Dear Congregants,



For more than a year and a half I have had the pleasure of serving as the rabbi of this synagogue. This synagogue is a unique and special institution within the framework of the organized denominational Jewish community. It has a long and distinguished history with deep roots within Denver. It is also a synagogue that can look forward to many growth opportunities as all of you together explore and embark on a reimagining process for the future religious life of BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue in the 21st century.



One of the greatest joys of being your rabbi has been the experience of getting to know so many of you. I have been deeply honored to be present for some of the hardest moments, such as funerals and bereavement, and to joyously dance you or your children down to the chuppah. The coffee dates. The Shabbat meals in our home or yours. The regular classes and workshops. The holiday celebrations. In all of the myriad ways that we have come to know each other and share special times together, thank you.



This synagogue and this wonderfully diverse community contain a range of religious expressions found throughout the weekdays, Shabbatot and holidays. This spectrum is something to be celebrated even while in some respects it does not conform to normative Orthodox practice. As a Modern Orthodox rabbi it has become clear to me that the synagogue does not for now desire to adopt established Orthodox practices, including the use of some form of mechitza in the main sanctuary. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I write to you to announce my resignation as the rabbi of the synagogue effective February 1st, 2014.



I am confident that this wonderful community will through the strategic visioning process that has begun discover its religious path that responds to the needs of the membership in a meaningful and compelling way. This synagogue has for the past 116 years played a pivotal role in the life of the Denver Jewish community and I know it will continue to do so for a long time to come.



In Friendship,



Rabbi Ben Greenberg

January 27, 2014Dear Congregants,For more than a year and a half I have had the pleasure of serving as the rabbi of this synagogue. This synagogue is a unique and special institution within the framework of the organized denominational Jewish community. It has a long and distinguished history with deep roots within Denver. It is also a synagogue that can look forward to many growth opportunities as all of you together explore and embark on a reimagining process for the future religious life of BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue in the 21st century.One of the greatest joys of being your rabbi has been the experience of getting to know so many of you. I have been deeply honored to be present for some of the hardest moments, such as funerals and bereavement, and to joyously dance you or your children down to the chuppah. The coffee dates. The Shabbat meals in our home or yours. The regular classes and workshops. The holiday celebrations. In all of the myriad ways that we have come to know each other and share special times together, thank you.This synagogue and this wonderfully diverse community contain a range of religious expressions found throughout the weekdays, Shabbatot and holidays. This spectrum is something to be celebrated even while in some respects it does not conform to normative Orthodox practice. As a Modern Orthodox rabbi it has become clear to me that the synagogue does not for now desire to adopt established Orthodox practices, including the use of some form of mechitza in the main sanctuary. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I write to you to announce my resignation as the rabbi of the synagogue effective February 1st, 2014.I am confident that this wonderful community will through the strategic visioning process that has begun discover its religious path that responds to the needs of the membership in a meaningful and compelling way. This synagogue has for the past 116 years played a pivotal role in the life of the Denver Jewish community and I know it will continue to do so for a long time to come.In Friendship,Rabbi Ben Greenberg

