Questions About the Congregation Hebrew Education Alliance

Wondering if the HEA is right for you?
            Check out our frequently asked questions...

How many members does HEA have? 
> 930 households

How many families attend the religious and pre-schools?
> 300 families, many with multiple children enrolled

How many rabbis and cantors are there?
> There are currently 2 Rabbis and 1 Cantor. Read more about them on our Clergy page.

What if I can't afford the membership dues?
> No one is ever turned away because of finances. Contact the executive director to adjust dues and fees.

How are services run? What should I expect?
> A very traditional service which includes Pesukei D’Zimrah, a full Torah reading, and the repetition of the Amidah.

I'm new to Denver -- will I fit in?
> Absolutely. Our congregation is made up of a wonderful mixture of long time Denverites and many transplants from the east coast, south, and just about anywhere in the US, and some from overseas! The Alliance is a well established (founded in 1932) over 60% of the members have joined the congregation since the southeast Denver building was complete in the mid-1990s. Many of these members are new to Denver -- just like you.

I just had a baby. Can I meet other parents? Where?
> We encourage people with infants and small children to participate in our Shabbat morning services. In addition to welcoming “little ones” into the sanctuary, we have a cryroom as well as a well supervised babysitting program. In addition, the Alliance Preschool is a great way to meet other families with young children. Finally, there's a Tot Shabbat program which is a parent and child combined service. More information is on our services page.

Are the clergy available for personal consultations when I need them?
> The clergy of the Alliance are easy to reach. Call or email Joyce at 303-758-9400 x 202 to set a meeting with a member of the clergy.

Who can I call to speak to for more information?
> All of our staff are friendly, easily approachable, and ready to answer your questions. Please see our Staff page to contact our staff directly by email or phone. You can also contact Neal Price, executive director at 303-758-9400 x 204.

How do you fit all those members in during the high holidays? Will I have a seat?
> The sanctuary, chapel and social hall located to maximize the number of seats available to the High Holidays. Nearly 2,200 can be seated at one time.

Are women allowed on the bimah? Are they able to read from the Torah?
> Women are full participants on the bimah. They, just as men, can have aliyot, read from the Torah, chant a haftorah, as well receive other bimah honors.

I know very little about Judaism -- will there be a place for me to learn more about my heritage, religion, and language?
> The Alliance offers a wide variety of educational programs for individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds. Rabbi Dollin holds an Adult B’nai Mitzvah program every-other-year that includes beginning levels of Judaic learning as well as Hebrew.

I am a convert -- will I be accepted?
> Jews by Choice are accepted equally with Jews by Birth. A number of Jews by Choice have and are serving on the Board of Directors, as Officers of the congregation, and in other leadership roles including teachers in both our religious school and Adult Education program.

Are there facilities for parties and events?
> Because the Alliance social hall was designed to be flexible, comfortable spaces are available for very small groups to dinner/dance events for over 600. The Alliance has a professionally equipped kitchen that can accommodate large groups.

Is the Kosher catering available?
> The Alliance has a flexible catering policy with both an in-house caterer Cohen’s Cuisine, and the availability to use other Denver area caterers who do kosher catering.

How many weddings and bar mitzvahs are performed each year?
> Between 10-15 weddings are held at the Alliance each year. Between 40-55 b’nai mitzvah each year. Approximately 2/3 of the b’nai mitzvah are celebrated on Shabbat morning, with 1/3 held at the Shabbat mincha/maariv service.

What are the main prayer books used?
> While the Alliance has been a Conservative congregation since the mid-1990’s, there are still a number of people who prefer a more traditional prayer book. Therefore, both the Conservative Sim Shalom and the Renov Art School prayer books are available both on Shabbat and at weekday morning services.

What neighborhood is the shul in? Is it easy to find?
> The HEA is conveniently located in southeast Denver. The synagogue is one block wet of I-25 and two blocks south of Hampden Ave. See a map and get directions on our contact page.

Is babysitting available during services?
> There is babysitting at Shabbat and Festival morning services. Also, babysitters are available for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.

Is there a room for young families during services? 
> Infants and young children are welcomed into the sanctuary for services. If the little ones get a bit too noisy, there is a cryroom adjacent to the sanctuary where families can see and hear the service, but where children’s noises will not interfere with worship. Following the Torah reading and the sermon, many young families join their little ones in the babysitting room for a weekly Tot Shabbat program. More information is on our services page.

What if I know someone who is ill?
> Let us know! The HEA is a very caring and welcoming congregation. If the person is hospitalized, the rabbis of the congregation want to visit. If at home, we want to be able to call and talk to them. Also, we would like to add their names to the Mishaberach list and include them in our prayers for healing. We want to be able to acknowledge the illness, including them as part of the service and help in any way we can. Visit the Hesed (caring) page for more details.

What if I suffer a loss in my family?
>  Let us know! The HEA is a very caring and welcoming congregation. Neal Price is the emergency contact for the HEA. You may call him at 303-758-9400 x 204 or email him. Neal will contact you to guide you and he will also contact the clergy. We want to help in any way we can. Visit the Hesed (caring) page for more details.

How do I schedule a bris, baby naming, bar mitzvah or a wedding?
> Contact either Janet Purvis, Director of Operations 303-758-9400 x 215 or Neal Price, Executive Director 303-758-9400 x 204.

>> Still have questions? Contact us today!