Joseph R. Black

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Oct 11, 2021, 3:49 PM

The Texas anti-choice law and the Torah’s call to choose life

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We had a 25% genetic chance of having a Tay-Sachs baby destined for a short, painful life. Knowing abortion was an option made it possible for us to create our family

Nov 6, 2017, 10:10 PM

Guns and Idol Worship

Once again, our nation is reeling from senseless and tragic shootings. This week the victims were at a Wall Mart near Denver and a small church in rural Texas. Last week they were in Las Vegas. While the locations...

Sep 16, 2015, 4:00 PM

The Three Purposes of Religion: Why We Need Synagogues

Dear Friends, L’Shanah Tovah! It is wonderful to see you all here tonight. For those who come here on a regular basis -- thank you for enhancing the spiritual life of our community. For those who come more sporadically ….welcome! Welcome...

Sep 5, 2015, 5:28 PM

Refugees: An Elul Prayer

Our God and God of all people: God of the rich God of the poor; God of the wretched God of the impoverished; God of the diplomat God of the refugee; God of those who have no god. We are crying, God. Are You crying too? We, who see...

Aug 7, 2015, 12:33 AM

Rocky Mountain Rabbis Condemn Jewish Terror

We, the members of the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council feel compelled to share the following with members of the Colorado Jewish Community: In just a few weeks we will be entering into the month of Elul. In Jewish tradition, this...

Aug 2, 2015, 5:08 PM

Eichah — A Poem in the Aftermath of Jewish Terror

Eichah (How?) How can a city just sit? Solitary. Weeping copious tears while white-clad sanitation workers diligently sweep up the rainbow blood of her children? Four thousand years ago, another man with a knife walked these streets with his wood-bearing son. He, too raised...

Jul 2, 2015, 5:57 PM

The UCC Shows It’s Anti-Zionist Credentials

Over the past 28+ years, the many opportunities with which I have been blessed to work in partnership with liberal Christian Clergy have enriched my rabbinate in numerous ways. The friendships I have forged, the bonds of fellowship and...

Mar 9, 2015, 12:15 AM

Reflections on AIPAC, “The” Speech and Parashat Ki Tissa

March 6, 2015 Rabbi Joseph R. Black – Temple Emanuel – Denver, CO This past week I attended the AIPAC policy conference in DC. Over the course of three days 16,000 people – Jews, Christians and concerned concerned citizens came together to...

Jan 10, 2015, 8:07 AM

Who will be France’s midwives?

The possibility of a radical shift in non-Jews' attitudes towards Israel and the Jews is always there

Nov 24, 2014, 9:10 PM

Jacob’s Voice/Esau’s Hands: The aftermath of a Massacre. Toldot, 5775

This has been a very difficult week. For me, personally, on Monday morning – the day after Sue and I returned from a fantastic trip to New York with our 10th grade Confirmation class I underwent a planned, laparoscopic surgical...

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About Me

Joe Black serves as Sr. Rabbi of Temple Emanuel, a large Reform synagogue in Denver, Colorado. He also is a husband, a father, a musician, a limericker and a skier. You can follow Rabbi Black's congregational blog at http://rabbijoeblack.blogspot.com/ You also can find out more about his music at www.Rabbijoeblack.com Rabbi Black's latest book - There Once Was A Man From Canaan: The Five Books Of Limerick - is available at www.the5booksoflimerick.com