It was exactly 16 years ago this week that my family arrived in Denver to begin my career at the Hebrew Educational Alliance. Our son Koby, of blessed memory, was 3 years old at the time and we convinced him that the fireworks in the sky were to celebrate our arrival. Three years ago this week, I was officially offered the position of Senior Rabbi. On this Independence Day, I am marking another transition. I have made the difficult decision to conclude my work at HEA. I will be resigning my position as Senior Rabbi, effective July 31, 2024.
I am proud of all 16 years of my service to this community, filled with precious moments with you and your families. I am especially proud of my leadership in the past three years. In the wake of Covid and a period of rapid change and challenging transitions, I engaged with our leadership to assemble an outstanding professional and clergy team. Together we set out to rebuild Jewish community after the pandemic with renewed spirit and excitement. At my first Rosh Hashanah in 2021, I set out a vision for a nurturing and welcoming spiritual community, inspired to reconnect after years of isolation. During my first year, I met nearly 180 individuals for coffee in a listening campaign that informed our work. We created the Warm & Welcoming Initiative to expand our reach and ensure that we are truly serving the needs of all our families. Along with my clergy team, we revived all of our religious services and musical offerings with a spirit of innovation and kavanah. We responded to rising security concerns and comforted our community after the attack on Israel. We built back our youth group, religious school and preschool, and we developed new programs and initiatives for all ages.
I grew into my role, taking on responsibilities for management of the synagogue, its finances, fundraising and membership. In my first year, I led the most successful annual fundraising campaign in HEA’s history, only to surpass the financial goals the following year. New member enrollment has grown significantly for the first time since 2019. Nonetheless, the Jewish world is changing, and HEA has not been immune from the challenges facing all synagogues and spiritual communities.
Faced with financial shortfalls, I worked with the board and senior professionals over the last several months to restructure our budget and staff to ensure that HEA has the executive and programmatic leadership to meet the needs of a contracting congregation. Yet, as we implemented the plan, it became evident that the current leadership and I were no longer aligned as to the direction of the synagogue. For the last 16 years, I have always put forward my best efforts to serve the Hebrew Educational Alliance and its families and work in the best interests of the organization. I believe my choice to resign is in the best interest of my family and the community I cherish. I am grateful to Evan Kline and our board of directors for easing my transition. Beginning August 1, 2024, I will commence a year-long terminal sabbatical.
My family and I plan to remain in Denver, and I will be using my sabbatical to explore professional and personal opportunities. Moving forward, you can reach me by email atsalomoneg@icloud.com.
I am grateful to my wife Melanie for believing in me and being my partner in cultivating the Jewish community we love. Sixteen years ago this week, we started an amazing adventure together along with our children, Hannah, Micah and Koby. I am leaving knowing that my work has touched countless lives and inspired people through the wisdom of Torah. A famous Talmudic sage once said, "I have learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and the most from my students" (Ta'anis 7a). In my growth and development as a rabbi, I have learned most from all of you.
In the words of Moses at the close of his journey with the Israelites, I wish HEA “Hazak v’ematz – be strong and resolute.” May this community find a path forward with strength and resolve.
With love and gratitude, Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald
A Message for HEA Board President Evan Kline
I would like to first thank Rabbi Gruenwald, Melanie and the Gruenwald family for their years of service and dedication to the HEA. They have been with us, and we have been with them, through good times and bad, through joyous occasions and through life’s most difficult trials. On Tuesday, July 2, Rabbi Gruenwald offered his resignation to the Board, and we sadly accepted.
On a personal note, I have had the distinct privilege of working closely with Salomon Gruenwald for sixteen years. He is a caring and compassionate Rabbi who cares deeply for our congregation and for its congregants. He has been a friend, a confidant and a trusted advisor to me and my family and to so many of us.
We wish him well in his next adventure and know that he will bring the same sense of dedication and commitment that he has brought to the HEA. My prayer for all of us is that we are able to work for sixteen years at a place that truly loves us, and we love it back.
We are blessed to have a strong senior team at the Alliance; Rabbi Shulman, Eitan Kantor, Amy Karp, Yuri Tavbin, Caryn Osterman and the rest of our talented staff and they are fully committed to continue to provide excellent service to all our congregants. Our team will reach out to all congregants in the coming weeks to discuss life cycle events and the logistics for any upcoming events. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we prepare to move forward.
