Radio Chavura

Radio Chavura host Dean Rotbart, who also hosts a the weekly Business Unconventional radio newsmagazine, interviewed Rabbi Hillel Goldberg about this week's commemorative issue of the Intermountain Jewish News (IJN), which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Dean's interview with Rabbi Goldberg, who is the IJN's executive editor, was taped in August 2012 in anticipation of the paper's centennial-year festivities.  Dean is joined by David Biondo, who serves as Dean's co-host on Business Unconventional.  B. Unconventional is broadcast each Sunday on 710 KNUS AM in Denver from 8 am to 9 am. In this edited portion of the August 26, 2012 business program, Rabbi Goldberg discusses what it takes to keep the IJN vibrant and relevant, as well as his pride over the high-quality of readers and advertisers that the paper attracts. Rabbi Goldberg's father, Max, of blessed memory (z'l), purchased the IJN in 1943 for $1.  At the time, the community-owned publication was a financial mess.  Max Goldberg and Robert Gamzey, w

On June 9th, the Radio Chavura team drove to Boulder to participate in the Boulder Jewish Festival.  This year's event, the 19th annual festival, was organized by Cheryl Fellows, who also publishes the Boulder Jewish News with her husband, David. We saw many friends from both Denver and Boulder, and had the opportunity to meet new people and learn about some wonderful regional organizations, including LoKo Denver: Local Kosher Food, the Longmont Shabbat Group, Westminster's Congregation B'nai Torah, the Boulder Mikvah, and Boulder's Congregation Bonai Shalom. Three of the groups we encountered - Adventure Rabbi, Hazon, and Camp, Inc. - are featured on this week's edition of Radio Chavura. __________ The Adventure Rabbi Program was started by Rabbi Jamie Korngold in 2001.  A strong believer in the power of nature to inspire modern Jews and bring them closer to G-d, Rabbi Jamie and her congregation regularly take trips to some of the most beautiful places in the United States and Israel.  The author of seven bo

Two segments on this week's edition of Radio Chavura, which is broadcast every Sunday at 6:30 pm (Mountain) on 990 KRKS AM. When Rivka Cohen was a young girl, she fell in love with musical theater. Determined that her life's direction would take her to Broadway and beyond, she pursued her passion with vigor.  As she became a more observant Jew in her adult years, Rivka faced a dilemma. Orthodox Jewish women don't sing in front of male audiences - doing so is considered a form of immodesty. If Rivka were to adopt a fully observant lifestyle, she would have to give up on her dream of performing in Broadway musicals. Rivka had spent her whole life believing that she was 'bound for Broadway,' and now found herself rethinking her performance career - which she loved. In her humorous, touching and inspiring one-woman musical, Broadway unBound, Rivka narrates her struggle and explains her ultimate decision: to put a halt to her secular musical career and devote her life to Torah and other Jewish pursuits (in

Decades ago, cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of the popular "Far Side" comic strip, drew an image of two middle-class parents, watching their son play video games, and wishfully thinking that maybe - one day - he would find a high-paying job as a Nintendo or Mario Brothers player (because he clearly was incapable of doing anything else).  Most parents of teenage children can relate to the disconcerting fear that their children will never find a passion that will translate into a fulfilling career. Rabbi Levi Brackman, founder of the Denver-based Youth Directions, is determined to make sure that all teens find a meaningful path in life that fits their interests and talents. Rabbi Brackman, who is the guest on this week's edition of Radio Chavura, started Youth Directions only four years ago, but has already transformed the lives of many young adults in Colorado - both Jewish and gentile - by giving them the "space" to discover their lives' purpose. With a specific action plan, designed based upon his years of

Watch the amazing video and see all 210 photos in only 3 minutes and 30 seconds On this week's edition of Radio Chavura, hosts Maxwell and Dean Rotbart reflect on last Sunday's vibrant 10th Annual Celebrate Family festival, presented by the Robert E. Loop Jewish Community Center, and the Walk for Israel, organized by the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado. Festival guests and organizers who are interviewed include: James "Jim" Barnard, Commander, Jewish War Veterans Post #344, the Captain Ellis David Greene chapter   Danielle Menditch, JConnect Coordinator, Hebrew Educational Alliance Becky Epstein, Executive Director, and Jay Mayer, Chairman of the Religious School Committee, B'nai Havurah Caren Blanke, Assistant Executive Director, and Melanie Gruenwald, Director of Family Programs, Jewish Community Center. Radio Chavura was proud to be an official sponsor of this year's festival and walk. Special thanks to Dani Wynn of the JCC and Dana Eckoff of Professional Planning Group for their assista

Four of Denver's community-minded Jewish young people are guests on the first segment of this week's broadcast of Radio Chavura.  The students, each of whom attends the Denver Academy of Torah, will be participating in The 2013 Color Run to benefit Denver Yachad on Sunday, June 16th. The students, pictured below are siblings: Estee and Aaron Brooks and Heidi and Pearl Clayman.  To view a complete list of scheduled runners, click here. Radio Chavura staff photographer, Avital Rotbart, will also be running in support of Denver Yachad (the National Jewish Council for Disabilities), an agency of the Orthodox Union. NJCD is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community.  To show your support for these students, click on their names below.  Even a contribution of a few dollars will be greatly appreciated.   DONATE: Aaron Brooks, Estee Brooks, Heidi Clayman, Pearl Clayman and Avital Rotbart. __________ During our second broadcast segment this w

This is a bonus audio featuring an extended Radio Chavura interview with Bill Korn.  You can hear the broadcast portion of the interview (May 12, 2013) here.

The merchant store that became a national conglomerate. The immigrant family that emerged as among the wealthiest in America. The synagogue president who was also county commissioner (and - bizarrely - for a short time, the owner of a brothel). For a period of thirty years at the onset of the 20th century, Leadville was the economic driver of the state of Colorado and home to a thriving Jewish community. This week on Radio Chavura, Bill Korn, an expert on early Leadville Jewry who helped spearhead efforts to rededicate the town's forgotten synagogue and cemetery, shares with us some of the more exciting anecdotes about the town's early Jewish residents and merchants. Originally founded as a gold mining town, Leadville soon became known for its production of silver, zinc, and molybdenum. Jews - including David May (founder of the nationally prominent May Company Department Stores); the Guggenheim Family, owners of the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO); and  County CommissionerJoseph Monheimer - a

A new community-wide initiative, Jewish & Widowed, is the focus of our program this week on Radio Chavura. The group, offering a safe, non-threatening way to begin new friendships, will hold its first event this coming Wednesday, May 8th.  The program is open to Jewish men and women of all ages who have lost a spouse or significant other. Joining us in the 990 KRKS AM studios to discuss the creation of Jewish & Widowed, as well as its goals, are Connie Suson and Lisa Thorner. Connie, programming director at Congregation Rodef Shalom, came up with the concept for a community-supported program to connect Jewish men and women who've lost a spouse or partner.  Connie's own father is a widower. Among those who quickly embraced the concept and shared in its development is Lisa Thorner, programming director at Temple Sinai, who also has a widowed parent. Connie and Lisa stress that Jewish & Widowed is not a dating service, nor is it a forum for a "group cry."  Rather, it's aimed at fostering frie

Celebrate Lag BaOmer this year with Studio J at Radio Chavura and three of Colorado's most engaging and entertaining musical talents: Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe Danya and Eyal Bryan Zive & Kol Echad Hosted by Denver's own multi-talented singer and songwriter, Julie Geller. Maybe it's the crisp mountain air. Maybe it's the snowmelt. Maybe it's the spiritual influence of our great Jewish day schools and educational programs.  Regardless, it is undisputed that Colorado's Jewish musical artists generate a unique vibe - a special feel that distinguishes them from the sounds of other Hebrew and Jewish groups. In February 2013, we launched Studio J at Radio Chavura, an all-music edition of our program. Each edition of Studio J at Radio Chavura highlights bands that are channeling the Rocky Mountain energy and producing awesome, original Jewish music.   Original Broadcast Date:  April 28, 2013Photo:  Singer-Songwriter Julie Geller 

On Sunday, April 21, we speak with Temple Emanuel’s dynamic director of membership and programming, Susie Sigman. As the go-to person at Colorado’s largest and oldest synagogue, Susie manages a congregation that is larger than some cities in our state. And she does it with professionalism and plenty of ruach (spirit)! Susie works tirelessly to ensure that members of Temple Emanuel feel at home and are part of a meaningful community. Susie tells us about Temple Emanuel’s many religious, educational, and social activities; the synagogue’s (quite musical) religious leaders; and the inclusive nature of Reform Judaism. Radio Chavura is co-hosted by veteran reporter Dean Rotbart, and his son, Maxwell – both homegrown members of the Denver Jewish community.  The program is broadcast each Sunday on 990 KRKS AM in Denver. Do you want to suggest a potential guest for the show or learn how to become a sponsor? Call Dean & Maxwell at 1-855-JEWISH-4 or email them at radiochavura@gmail.com. For more information, visit

This we speak with two outstanding students from the Jewish Student Connection: Georgie Seserman and Ben Weil.  Georgie (who, in addition to playing five instruments, is a talented singer and songwriter) is a senior at the Denver School of the Arts and plans on attending the Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) next year. She aspires to a career in music education.  She uses the professional name Georgeta-Rae.  Hear Georgie perform Outstretched Wings, an original composition. Ben (who is a master of audio mixing and rap) is a junior at the Denver School of the Arts and is looking at attending Berklee College of Music or the California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, CA) when he graduates.  He uses the professional name Bdub$. Hear Ben's rap mix, You and Me. Georgie and Ben talk with us about their college and career aspirations, and explain how Judaism has influenced their lives and music.  Rabbi Michael Sunshine, who serves as the regional director of JSC, joins Georgie and Ben on the program. Rabbi Su

As he bid adieu to Colorado after six years as senior rabbi at BMH-BJ Congregation, Rabbi Selwyn Franklin stopped by the 990 KRKS AM studios to share some of his fond memories and to discuss his legacy. Rabbi and Mrs. Franklin are much beloved by both the BMH-BJ membership and the Jewish community at large. He also enjoyed warm and cooperative relations with Colorado's non-Jewish community. The Rabbi's warmth, eloquence, insights, intelligence and passion for his work won him many fans and friends. Among the topics he discusses are his dedication to "non-observant Orthodox Jews."  He also has a few words of advice for his successor, Rabbi Ben Greenberg, who officially began his tenure on July 1, 2012. Radio Chavura is broadcast each Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. on 990 KRKS AM in Denver.  The program's website can be found at www.Chavura.com. Radio Chavura is co-hosted and produced by Dean and Maxwell Rotbart, a father-son team.  Sponsors include Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie and Care Wear and Signal Butte

Denver's own weekly Jewish radio magazine, Radio Chavura, discussing Rabbi Manuel and Bess Laderman, of blessed memory, with their children, Rabbi Paul Laderman and Mierle Laderman Ukeles.  Paul joins the program by phone from Jerusalem, Israel.  Mierle was interviewed from her New York office. Rabbi Manuel Laderman was the first rabbi at The Hebrew Educational Alliance and served the shul, the Jewish community and the greater Denver area for 47 years.  Bess Laderman was a patron of the arts, who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Colorado Symphony and other local organizations. Radio Chavura is broadcast each Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. on 990 KRKS AM in Denver.  The program's website can be found at www.Chavura.com. Radio Chavura is co-hosted and produced by Dean and Maxwell Rotbart, a father-son duo.  Sponsors include Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie and Care Wear and Signal Butte Financial Corp. Contact the program at: radiochavura@gmail.com or phone, 1-855-JEWISH-4 (1-855-539-4744) Original Air Date: July