We are thrilled to announce that Dan Yolles will be joining the HEA team this fall in the role of Student Rabbi. Dan will be taking over the oversight and mentorship of our youth group, young family services, and supporting our education department and clergy team in a variety of different roles and lifecycle moments. We are grateful for the many contributions of Chaviva Sands, Youth Program Coordinator, who has grown our youth program and supported our religious school this past year with passion and care in partnership with Mallory Bustow, our Education Director. We wish Chaviva all the best as she moves into a career in web development, and we look forward to staying connected with her in Denver.
As we consider the evolving needs of our congregation, we are excited to be able to bring on a seasoned Jewish educator and rabbinical student to help expand and enrich the vibrant programs, services, and connections that our clergy and staff facilitate for our growing community.
Dan will work closely with our clergy team and educational staff under the guidance of Rabbi Shulman to serve the congregation educationally, pastorally, and spiritually. Dan brings an extensive background in Jewish education and Jewish communal work. Most recently, he has served as a Student Rabbi, Music Director, and B’nai Mitzvah Educator at Judaism Your Way under the leadership of Rabbi Caryn Aviv. He also has many years of experience in congregational work at Temple Sinai, Rodef Shalom, and Aspen Jewish Congregation in addition to leadership at JCC Ranch Camp and other Jewish organizations. While working for HEA, Dan will be completing his virtual studies to become a rabbi through the Academy of Jewish Religion – New York in the coming years.
Dan is a true mensch, a talented musician and teacher, and an inspiring person, and we can’t wait for our congregation to get to know him as well as his wife Ali and his son Shai, who currently attends the HEA Preschool. Dan will begin part-time in August as he finishes up his work for Judaism Your Way, and will ramp up to 80% time in October, affording him space to also be engaged in his rabbinic studies. We are so pleased to welcome Dan as part of our HEA team!
