HEArtbeat

June is a month to celebrate many different things, but one that feels overlooked is Men’s Mental Health Awareness month. Men often feel pressure to fulfill roles as providers, leaders, and protectors, which can sometimes lead to emotional suppression or isolation. With the amount of antisemitism our community is facing and the growing number of violent attacks, the stress of being a protector for our family and community is only getting heavier by the day.

According to Mental Health America (MHA, 2023), over 6 million men experience depression annually, and over 3 million meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder each year. Alarmingly, half of these men do not seek therapeutic services. Societal stereotypes suggesting that men should be “strong” and “invulnerable” create undue pressure to suppress emotions. The expectation to be tough, self-reliant, independent, and stoic often results in a reluctance to express emotions openly or seek help.

Men’s mental health resonates deeply with core Jewish values such as pikuach nefesh (preserving life), refuah shleimah (complete healing), and chesed (kindness and compassion). Jewish tradition emphasizes the importance of caring for the whole person—body, mind, and soul. Mental health is not separate from spiritual or physical well-being, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of courage and responsibility, both to oneself and to the community. We cannot help our families or communities if we do not help ourselves first. King David, for example, openly expresses sorrow, fear, and hope in the Psalms. These ancient texts remind us that even our greatest leaders experienced emotional struggles—and that sharing them can be a path toward healing and connection.

Check in on your friends and family and know that if you or anyone you know is struggling, your family at HEA is here for you and can help with providing or finding the support you may need.

Shabbat Shalom! 

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Coming Up!

Torah for Today Class
Shabbat, Jun 7th 10:30a to 11:15a
With Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, Ph.D. - Should women receive the same reward as men?

Razzle Dazzle
Sunday, Jun 8th 4:00p to 6:00p
A Jewish Cabaret featuring Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim. Join us for an evening of laughter, talent, and refreshments as we celebrate the great Jewish composers of the stage and beyond. Top hats, glitter, feather boas, and dramatic costumes welcome! Tickets $10-$20.

Monthly Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Shulman
Wednesday, Jun 11th 12:00p to 1:00p
A curriculum on Judaism and Jewish identity based on traditional sources and the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Topics include Identity, Prayer, Study, Mitzvot, Tzedakah, Chesed, Faith, Israel, Kiddush Hashem, and the Jewish future.

SLAK: Galveston Movement
Thursday, Jun 12th 6:00p to 8:30p
​​​​​​​If you're interested in attending the presentation, but not the potluck, SLAK (Social Life After Kids) warmly invites the entire congregation to join us at 7:30 p.m. $18 suggested donation. Join SLAK for a potluck dinner and an engaging presentation on the Galveston Movement by Dr. Joshua Furman from the University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies and the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society.—a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in Jewish American history that helped resettle thousands of Jewish immigrants.

Kleztronica Party
Thursday, Jun 12th 7:30p to 11:50p
Dance party with DJ Chaia (Brooklyn, Yiddish Techno). Opening set by YUGS (Los Angeles/Denver, Indie Alternative).

Shabbat in the Park
Friday, Jun 13th 5:00p to 7:00p
Enjoy a fun-filled Shabbat service and celebration for young ones and their adults at Westland's Park, Center Pavilion. Families should bring their own dairy dinner, and HEA will provide snacks and drinks.

Life & Legacy Shabbat
Shabbat, Jun 14th 9:30a to 12:00p
Please join us for a very special traditional service and kiddush honoring our HEAroes! Help us to thank them for their generous commitment to HEA’s future. Their Life & Legacy gifts will ensure that our spiritual home based on ruach, relationship and community remains vital and strong for generations to come.

Rabbi Shira Stutman: Author of The Jewish Way to a Good Life
Wednesday, Jun 18th 6:30p to 8:00p
For as long as Judaism has been a religion, “Jewish” has been a culture—one whose unique blend of ritual and realism has kept its people going for some 3,000 years. In The Jewish Way to a Good Life, Rabbi Shira Stutman invites readers of every faith—and none—to do chesed (good work), foster tzedek (justice), practice shabbat (rest), and ultimately find happiness. Books will be available for sale at the event.

Tot Shabbat
Shabbat, Jun 21st 10:45a to 12:00p
A fun and spirited playtime and Tot Shabbat service.

Hike, Torah & Shmooze with Rabbi Shulman
Sunday, Jun 22nd 7:45a to 12:00p
Empty Nesters join us at the Staunton State Park Visitor Center. This is a State Park so there is a $10 entry fee if you opted out of the state park pass associated with license plate registration. There is no fee if you have a Colorado Parks & Wildlife pass. No dogs please.

Kavod on the Road
Tuesday, Jun 24th 1:00p to 2:30p
Monthly programs for adults hosted by Kavod On the Road at HEA.

Monthly Israel Updates with Amir Kaufman
Thursday, Jun 26th 6:30p to 8:00p
Finding it hard to keep track of what's going on in Israel? Join us for a monthly class that aims to cut through the noise. Led by Amir Kaufman, we'll be diving into the societal changes that are happening during the war. Join us to stay informed and thoughtful about our homeland.

Festo! Festo! Featuring Jacob's Ladder
Thursday, Jul 10th 7:00p to 9:30p
Festo! Festo! is a monthly Klezmer, Balkan, and World music concert and community jam session. This month's guest band is Jacob's Ladder. The performance will be at Hebrew Educational Alliance.