Rabbi Joe Black

Rabbi Joe Black

Rabbi Joe Black has been the senior rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Denver, CO, since 2010. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Northwestern University in 1982 and his master's degree and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH, in 1987. In 2012 he received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from HUC-JIR. Learn more about Rabbi Joe Black’s extensive music library and read his blog.

Taking a Hard Look at Our Relationships

Rabbi Joe Black
The individual relationships we share are the backbone of creating a kehillah kedosha—a sacred community. Martin Buber, in his classic work, I and Thou, teaches that there are two basic types of human relationships: “I-It” and “I-Thou." An “I-It” relationship is one in which we interact with others for the
Two young children lighting a silver menorah

Teach Kids the Hanukkah Story... through Song!

Rabbi Joe Black
Sometimes a song lyric conveys a story so well that it does the job all by itself. Listen to this song on Spotify and go through the lyrics with your children to help them better understand the Hanukkah story. Enjoy!

A Prayer in the Aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing

Rabbi Joe Black

Our God who dwells in the highest heights and in the souls of our feet:
We find You in the passion of those who delight in testing and celebrating the power of their bodies:

The runners who push themselves to find new challenges in the rhythm of the road and

Jewish cemetery gate

What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral

Rabbi Joe Black
Jewish tradition teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This is the underpinning of all of the rituals and customs that make up a Jewish funeral.

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