Erev Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana Morning
Kol Nidre
Yizkor

Question: Rabbi Black, why did you decide to pursue the opportunity to be the next Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Denver?

"I have been fortunate to have served as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Albert for 14 years. During my tenure in Albuquerque, my congregation has grown and I have made what I believe to be significant changes in many areas including religious practice, education, community involvement, social action and youth programming. I also feel that I have been able to become an important voice in the New Mexico Jewish and secular communities. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish at Congregation Albert. At the same time, I feel a need to grow. I have goals and dreams that can only be accomplished in a larger community. Being chosen as your new Senior Rabbi provides me with new opportunities to expand the scope of my rabbinate. I am excited about becoming a part of your lives as well as working with a dynamic staff team and visionary leadership that will allow me to expand my horizons and  make an impact on the Denver Jewish community and the Jewish people."

by Rabbi Steven E. Foster

These last few months have been exciting, even though uncertain, ones for our congregation. I have been writing bulletin articles for nearly 40 years, but this article is a bit different. I know that recently you were informed by Board President Jim Cohen, of the very good news that a new rabbi had been hired to serve as the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel. Certainly it is no secret that such a momentous decision on the part of our Board has been received with joy and, of course, with some concern about the future of our congregation.

For me, the selection of Rabbi Joe Black is both exciting and appropriate, as well as a wonderful, wonderful way for our congregation to enter into its next phase. Of course, I will view my own retirement with some degree of sadness, and yet, knowing that Rabbi Black will be here to lead our congregation, I am filled with great pride and a sense of excitement because I know that Rabbi Black will bring a true sense of creativity, energy and real compassion to the work that lies ahead. I have no doubts about his abilities. I have seen Rabbi Black throughout the years as someone who is truly a leader in our movement and someone whose creativity will continue to keep our congregation on the cutting edge of liberal Judaism.

I welcome Rabbi Black and his family to our congregation and community and I pledge to him every bit of support that I can to help him secure the future of our congregation. I will be here to encourage him and to follow his lead in years to come. I am grateful for our lay Rabbinical Search committee that has worked so hard these past two years, not only to interview and to create a good process, but to find out from the members of our congregation the direction that they hope for. I know that Rabbi Black will be the kind of rabbi who will listen and will move our congregation to new heights of greatness. I look forward to working with him in years to come.