Toddlers scamper to preschool classes under the breathless guidance of their teachers at BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue. Im two! announces a boy. Two! concurs another little girl as laughter erupts along the hallway.
Everyones having a great morning, including Rabbi Ben Greenberg, spiritual leader of the modern Orthodox congregation since June, 2012. He winds up an amiable chat with Cantor Joel Lichterman before casually leading the way to his study.
Settling in a chair behind his neat desk, the bespectacled rabbi with the trim beard savors the opportunity to delve into conversational waters both pleasant and controversial.
Last June, when Greenberg stood on the bimah for the first time and made a few introductory remarks at Rabbi Selwyn Franklins farewell service, he sailed through a potentially daunting moment with great aplomb.
No, I wasnt at all nervous, he says. I was excited and Im still excited.
Greenberg chose BMH-BJ (well get to the name change in a minute) because it has a message I feel is important for the Denver Jewish community and also at the national level unity through community; diversity with a mission.
He is thrilled that BMH-BJ represents myriad demographics, family structures, socioeconomic levels and religious backgrounds.
What makes us great is not that you always sit next to someone who thinks exactly like you do. You can sit next to a person who has different opinions, a different way of life yet share the same siddur and tuna fish at the kiddush.
So often we see a homogenization of synagogues because a person only wants to be with like-minded individuals people who only walk on Shabbos, or only drive on Shabbos.
Our synagogue stands firmly in the breach, loudly declaring that we as a community can unite and embrace diversity.
An affiliate of the Orthodox Union, BMJ-BJ has received episodic complaints from the OU due its mixed seating policy in its main sanctuary.
The rest of this article is available in the IJN’s print edition only. Contact Carol to order your copy at (303) 861-2234 or email carol@ijn.com.
