Rabbi Brackman: Pioneering for Judaism, Community

WESTMINSTER, CO — Historically, and since time immemorial, Judaism has been about community; it has been its fabric, said Rabbi Benjy Brackman, of Westminster, co-founder of the Chabad House Synagogue and Cultural Center, 4505 W. 112th Ave., Westminster.

And, according to Rabbi Brackman, that’s what the Chabad House is all about – engaging northwestern community involvement.

It was five and a half years ago when London-born Rabbi Brackman, 37, and wife, Leah, co-founder and co-director, ventured from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Westminster with the intent of establishing the northwestern metro region’s first Jewish outreach center. With most of the surrounding area’s Jewish inhabitants then traveling to either Boulder or Denver to attend services or faith classes, the Brackmans decided it was high time the northwest had its own place of study, worship and community association.

“No one had worked here before,” said Rabbi Brackman, one of five siblings, all rabbis. “The northwest metro region was in need of a warm, nonjudgmental place to really penetrate the Jewish community. That’s what brought us here.”

Since the first day the Chabad House opened its doors, the outreach center has hosted an array of diverse functions for the northwestern Jewish community. Their numerous outreach endeavors include Chabad synagogue services, Hebrew school and adult education, to list a few. And, according to Rabbi Brackman, the Chabad House is funded primarily by donations from the community, and all its classes are free of charge.

“We don’t have any dues,” he said with enthusiasm. “You just have to show up.”

And when new families do show up at the Chabad House for the first time, Rabbi Brackman welcomes them as they are, dressed as they like and at any level of Jewish knowledge; it doesn’t matter, he says.

“Some think they are expected to dress the type, look the type,” he said referring to the traditional clothing more often found at an orthodox synagogue. “That’s not true. 99.9 percent (of the people) here are not orthodox. We don’t judge people by the way they dress. The key word is ‘welcome.’”

Rabbi Brackman adds that the Chabad House is a wonderful place for multifaith families, where one parent may be Jewish and the other is not.

“Some families may not be ready for a temple if they come from an interfaith family,” said Rabbi Brackman. “They can come here and not be judged. The goal is to reach out to Jews wherever they may be.”

With the coming of the warm weather, many Chabad House classes and events are soon to take place, and Rabbi Brackman encourages all Jewish families to take part in their interactive and faith-based activities.

“Every Jewish family of all backgrounds is welcome here,” said Rabbi Brackman. “There is nothing that would prevent anyone from walking in this door. Give me call. I’d love to have some coffee and talk.”

For more information about the Chabad House, or to sign up for one of its many classes, call 303-429-5177 or go to www.thechabadhouse.com.