Menachem Lehrfield, at The Blogs

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Sep 2, 2024, 11:13 PM

Dear Rachel, This is not the letter I imagined writing to you. I joined thousands of people across the globe today watching what we hoped and prayed would never come to be. As you stood at the podium like we’d seen so...

Aug 13, 2024, 1:22 AM

Why we Still Cry

We are not crying over something from thousands of years ago, but rather we are grieving for the catastrophic consequences of its destruction that continues to impact the world today. For nearly two thousand years, the Jewish People have mourned...

May 29, 2024, 1:27 AM

From Diapers to Destiny

Toilet training is a significant milestone in a child's development, marking a step towards independence and self-sufficiency. Recently, we've been working on this with our three-year-old, and thank God, it's been going fabulously well. For the third night in...

May 18, 2024, 12:28 AM

A few weeks ago, Rachel - Hersh's mom (as she will be known for the rest of time), invited us to write letters to her son Hersh who was brutally taken captive by Hamas on October 7. The following...

May 10, 2024, 7:04 PM

Not a Jew with Trembling Knees

Dear President Biden, I write to you today as a Jew and an American with a deep sense of betrayal and dismay following your recent announcement regarding the withholding of military aid to Israel. This decision, as you articulated, hinges...

Apr 28, 2024, 4:49 PM

A Journey of Solidarity – Part 3

(Part 1) (Part 2) Day 4 The West Bank The next morning we departed for Gush Etzion, a cluster of Israeli communities located in the Judaean Mountains, directly south of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank. Just the day before there was...

Apr 27, 2024, 7:33 AM

Do You Think They can Tell That I’m Jewish?

"Do you think they can tell that I’m Jewish?" a young 19-year-old asked her mother, her voice strained with fear. This conversation took place in 2024, not 1944. It's a question that carries with it the weight of Jewish history, a...

Apr 26, 2024, 6:43 PM

A Journey of Solidarity – Part 2

(Part 1) Day 2 - Preparing Meals for Soldiers There’s a notable coffee chain in Israel called Aroma. Amidst the challenging times it transformed one of its larger locations into a dedicated wartime sandwich-making operation. Every day, approximately 10,000 sandwiches are packed...

Apr 26, 2024, 12:40 AM

A Journey of Solidarity – Part 1

I had the incredible privilege of traveling to Israel with Aish during the first few weeks of the war, accompanied by a group of over 60 volunteers from across the US. It undeniably stands as the most profound experience...

Apr 22, 2024, 2:25 AM

We Have Nowhere Else to Go

As I was about to leave Israel after my last trip in February, I posted on Instagram, “Golda Meir famously said that Israel has a secret weapon: We have nowhere else to go.” And @jeanade5 responded: “Okay, but you have...

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About Me

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife, Sarah, and their five energetic children. He serves as the Director of the Jewish Outreach Initiative (JOI), a transformative program reshaping the Jewish landscape in Denver. JOI is dedicated to providing authentic Jewish experiences and learning opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds in a meaningful and engaging way. Additionally, Rabbi Lehrfield is the Co-director of SITE (the School of Integrative Torah Education), a Hebrew school alternative where Judaism is brought to life in a fun, camp-like atmosphere. He hosts the "Zero Percent” and "Dear Rabbi”podcasts and cohosts the "reConnect" podcast, further broadening his influence and connection with a global audience. Known for his warmth and genuine love for every Jew, Rabbi Lehrfield's approachable demeanor enables him to connect with people across all age groups and backgrounds. As a dynamic and engaging educator, he employs analogies and humor to make complex, profound ideas accessible and relatable to all, from novices to experts. Rabbi Lehrfield earned his M.Ed from Loyola University in Chicago and received two rabbinic ordinations; one from Yeshivas Beis Yisroel in Jerusalem, and another from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, the Chief Justice of the Jerusalem High Court. Beyond his professional pursuits, Rabbi Lehrfield is passionate about photography, baking, rock climbing, and snowboarding. These diverse interests allow him to engage with a broad spectrum of individuals and communities, furthering his mission to make Judaism relevant and meaningful for all Jews. You can follow Rabbi Lehrfield's activities and insights at @JOIdenver on Instagram and Facebook.

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