The Latest News from Agudath Israel of Colorado

June 2023

DENVER HEADS TO OHIO FOR MALL CONFERENCE

"If you're passionate about building community, the MALL Conference is the place to be," says Denver Kollel Director Rabbi Moshe Heyman.

Together with Agudah Colorado Director Rabbi Yossi Kaplan, Rabbi Heyman recently attended the annual MALL (Midwest Agudah Lay Leadership) Conference hosted in Cleveland, Ohio. For ten years now, the Agudah of Illinois has facilitated the MALL group to maintain communication among Midwest cities as they address the various hurdles they face and share successful ideas and projects. Connecting with community leaders representing cities of all sizes allows the group to tackle common issues more effectively.

Some of the many highlights of this year's conference included a presentation by Boruch Rothenberg of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit who gave insight into how federations operate and how to make a proper ask that would result in non-profit and communal funding. David Kushner of Amudim Community Resources from Philadelphia, PA shared important lessons in askanus and Rabbi Chaim Helman, Executive Director of Naaleh Cleveland, shared an innovative approach to addressing mental health by training trusted community clinicians and operating a subsidized community-friendly clinic. The group was also treated to a tour of the Cleveland Chesed Center by its Director, Rabbi Avrohom Adler, where they witnessed first-hand the myriad social services provided under one roof.

"It's not well known," says Rabbi Kaplan, "but the 2016 MALL Conference actually inspired the founding of Agudah of Colorado. Coming back each year is not only incredibly meaningful but has also inspired new initiatives to implement in Agudah of Colorado that have seen success in other cities."

Read the full article here.

At the Cleveland Chesed Center

David Kushner of Amudim shares helpful guidance in askanus

Continuing the conversation late at night

DENVER BOYS JOIN NATIONAL PIRCHEI SHABBOS OF ACHDUS

Denver boys are on a high after returning from the Pirchei Shabbos of Achdus in Casapolis, Michigan! Hosted on the sprawling, beautiful campus of Camp Matziv Midwest and attended by almost 200 participants from around the country, this Shabbos was an electrifying experience of learning, unity, and fun. It was coordinated and arranged by the dedicated Director of Pirchei Denver, Rabbi Yosef Melamed, and led by Rabbi Dovid Sauer.

The boys were treated to a packed schedule of learning, sports, water activities, and of course, music and great food. Throughout Shabbos, Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director of Agudas Yisroel and senior advisor for the event, delivered inspiring divrei chizuk, which were complemented by the beautiful davening and singing, led by Rabbi Yitzi Ackerman from Eretz Yisroel. A unique Question and Answer Session was held by the Menahel of The Veitzner Cheder in Chicago, Rabbi Heshy Forster, to address the challenges boys face in daily life. Each participant was paired up with an older chavrusa from Bais Shraga in Monsey, and together, all the boys collectively finished learning the entire Seder Moed!

Rabbi Melamed is enthusiastic about the trip. "This Shabbos gave the boys an incredible opportunity to connect with other boys, taste the satisfaction and sweetness of accomplishing in their learning, and gain inspiration and excitement while having a great time as well," he says. "I am confident that the experience, together with the positive influence of the rebbeim and the bachurim whom the boys were paired up with will have a positive impact on these boys as they continue into adulthood."

A big shoutout goes to Rabbi Yehuda Kohn, the National Director of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel, for planning and organizing such an incredible experience, and to Rabbi Yosef Melamed and Rabbi Dovid Sauer for making it possible for Denver boys to participate.

Read the full article and see the video here.