Rabbi Yaakov Meyer, a native of New York, studied in Yeshiva HaNegev in Netivot, Israel under Rabbi Daniel Lehrfield. Moving to Denver in 1984, Meyer started the Southeast Center for Judaism in 1995 in Greenwood Village, and expanded and joined Aish Hatorah in 2000, now known as Aish Denver. Rabbi Meyer and his wife of almost 28 years Chaya reside in the Southeast community and have 10 children and five grandchildren.
THE Jewish community in Southeast Denver has grown at a rapid rate ever since Rabbi Yaakov Meyer started as the director of Division of Community Services for Yeshiva Toras Chaim.
Aish Denver is about to take on new challenges with the addition of four new outreach leaders this fall.
Meyer has shaped Aish Denver as a center for growth, learning and inspiration that offers something for everyone.
Meyer is known for learning from his congregation, finding ways to inspire and connect with all Jews, regardless of their level of observance.
Crediting his colleagues at Aish Denver and his wife Chaya as the forces behind his success, Rabbi Meyers ultimate wish for the Jewish community of Denver is for all Jews to care for one another and accept Jews across the spectrum of observance, showing them respect and erasing intimidation.
Q: What is new at Aish?
A: We are about to open up a new major outreach project. We are bringing at least four new families, a new associate rabbi, and have some change in the staff.
We thought it was important to have new, young, dynamic families join the shul, excited to inspire. There will be new classes and programs for all ages by the time of the High Holidays.
We are expanding our preschool by adding two new grades and making it a full day school. Camp Shoovy, for ages 4-8 and Camp Chavaya for girls 11-13, have both become a wonderful success in the community.
Q: You recently announced a new vision for the shul. Please explain.
A: It is not a vision, it is a clarification. The vision is not a new one, it is an addition to include the people who have grown through Aish and support it.
With the new families coming, we will expand outreach and offer more personalized education and inspiration.
Q: How do you conduct outreach?
A: I learned from Rabbi Noah Weinberg, the leader of Aish, who was a great inspiration to me, that we will succeed in spreading Judaism if the people who benefited from it pass it on to others through friendship, inspiration, studying, socializing there are so many ways to pass it on.
There are things people have gained over the years. If we can encourage them to invite other people to share, then we succeed. It is crucial that we build on what we have and not just build the first floor.
Q: You used to go back and forth between your house on the West Side and the Southeast. How has it been being a permanent resident in the Southeast?
A: I love being here. Actually, I have been a resident for a long time, even though I wasnt here full time. For nine years we came every Shabbat and every holiday. But living here is a totally different experience.
The family is constantly in contact, going into homes, people coming into our home, even on a daily basis. The house is really a buzz of activity.
When something necessary comes up, we are right here. To watch the community grow and have more friends is really a special gift from above.
Q: What is the hardest part of your job?
Sometimes having to confront people with uncomfortable news and situations. Trying to feel other peoples concerns and problems can be very challenging, too, but its helpful when you have to try to feel it for yourself.
The hours can be long and challenging as well. There are periods that I have to be totally immersed and the kids say, Abba, we havent seen you in a while.
On the other hand, Im very inspired to get this done. I tell people Im not just existing, Im living, Im working hard and get a tremendous amount of excitement and fulfillment.
Q: Your shul is diverse. How do you keep everyone happy?
A: I dont know if I do, but I try to speak about personal growth and insight into life that is applicable to everyone.
I rarely speak with a particular group in mind.
I feel very blessed when people ask if the sermon was made for them. When that happens, you feel like you have done something important.
Sometimes diversity creates a challenge.
One of the greatest challenges we have is that although we have been successful as a synagogue, the reason we are here is reach out, educate and inspire in Judaism.
If people look at the shul and say, I am not observant, so its not for me, they get a misconception of what we are.
People dont have to come just to services; they can find a unique spiritual uplifting in other ways.
Q: Is there a certain topic you wont bring up on the bimah?
A: Usually I stay way from hot political issues. Sometimes in class or personal conversation, I will bring them up when I feel the need to.
Its too easy to make enemies and my purpose is to inspire and teach. Talking politics doesnt help inspire people.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: There are many who keep me inspired. My late teachers, including my relative and rosh yeshiva Rabbi Yissacher Meyer, was a tremendous inspiration.
Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of course, and also Rabbi Yisrael Kagan, the dean of Yeshiva Toras Chaim, and of course my wife Chaya.
Q: How have you changed as rabbi over the years?
A: I have changed in understanding peoples perspectives more deeply.
I love to learn from people and Im willing to listen.
Even when disagreeing with others, I might be able to learn from them so that my opinions, decisions and advice are not myopic, but more broadly shaped.
As I meet more people and hear more views, I can be more empathetic in understanding where people are coming from.
Q: What is the greatest Jewish lesson you ever learned?
A: To be wholesome, Jews must work on their relationship not just with G-d, but with themselves.
In Pirkei Avot we learn that the world stands on three things: the study of Torah, service and kind deeds. If any of these three were missing, we couldnt be complete.
Teshuvah, tefillah, tzedakah, our relationship with forgiveness and G-d and others that is really the framework for all Jewish people.
Q: What holiday do you most look forward to?
The High Holidays.
My father instilled in me the incredible privilege of being able to celebrate Yom Kippur and grasp its meaning. Its his favorite day of the year and he has left an impact on me that helps me get through it happily.
There are also so many new faces at Aish and so many positive experiences that people walk away with on the High Holidays. I hope that those who feel spiritually uplifted will come during the year.
Still, knowing that people are able to come to a place like Aish, even though others are often afraid to come through the doors because of stereotypes or whatever people are able to understand that Torah-based Judaism has so much to offer them for the holiday. This is a huge accomplishment.
Seeing those faces, the old, the new and all the children its a great honor.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
