From Adam and Eve to the advent of minyan, Jewish tradition teaches us that in times of transition, it is an imperative to be together. We are appreciative to everyone who has shown up in person at HEA, virtually, and in a variety of different ways to offer support, appreciation, and well wishes to the Gruenwalds as they begin the next stage of their life journey. We honor all the different emotions that our members, staff, and leaders are feeling right now in response to the sudden news of Rabbi Gruenwald’s departure. The power of community is that we can hold the complexity of the emotions we feel together. We invite you to lean in, lend a hand, be patient, and be together as we process this new reality and build the path forward together.
Rabbi Shulman and the HEA team are here for all our needs. We invite you to reach out to Rabbi Shulman to deepen your relationship, for assistance with lifecycle events, to lend a hand, and for support.
She can be reached at rabbishulman@HEAdenver.org or on her cell at 720-244-3342. She is humbled to continue serving our beloved HEA community in partnership with Eitan Kantor and our amazing HEA staff.
Rabbi Shulman will assume spiritual leadership of the congregation and be there for all our lifecycle moments, including officiating all b’nai mitzvah in close partnership with Eitan Kantor. At this time, we will not be hiring a second rabbi as we continue to assess the evolving needs of the congregation. We will retain an Executive Director, and we are appreciative to Caryn Osterman for her ongoing leadership.
We are grateful to our amazing davening team, davening leaders, community rabbis, and volunteers, who will be stepping up to support our clergy throughout the year and in making our 5785 High Holidays a moving and inspiring time for all in our community. We are committed to continue supporting and holding two vibrant services at HEA, our Traditional and Shir Hadash services, as we have done in the past, over the holidays and on Shabbat. Yes, we will need be innovative and creative to explore how that will work with one rabbi instead of two. Thankfully, HEA has a long and strong legacy of innovation, creativity, and collaboration. While it will take us all time to adapt to this new reality, our clergy, staff, and lay leaders are already meeting to discuss the opportunities the future holds.
As Rabbi Gruenwald shared in his powerful parting sermon last weekend, now is a time to embrace new challenges. It’s time to listen and to learn. It’s time to come together and connect, anchored in relationships and Torah. Also, as we move forward, it’s time to hope and to dream. We have great programs, great people, and great plans on the horizon. We look forward to sharing more opportunities in the coming weeks and months regarding how you can share your voice and your hands to help us build the bright future of HEA together.
Thank you for all you do to make our community an enduring spiritual home for all of us.
