Temple Emanuel, Denver’s oldest and largest Jewish congregation, begins a new era as Rabbi Joseph R. Black replaces retiring Senior Rabbi Steven Foster.
Black, who served as senior rabbi at Congregation Albert in Albuquerque for 14 years, is Temple Emanuel’s 14th senior rabbi. Black began his duties here July 6.
Black is nationally recognized as an accomplished musician, composer and recording artist of contemporary Jewish music.
Originally from Chicago, Black graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He received his rabbinic ordination in 1987 from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where Foster also attended.
In Albuquerque, Black increased membership at Congregation Albert from 540 to 740. The Temple Emanuel Reform Congregation, the largest Jewish congregation between the West Coast and Kansas City, Mo., has more than 2,000 member households.
Black and his wife, Sue, have two children, Elana and Ethan.
Temple spokeswoman Susie Sigman said in a statement released Wednesday that Black focused in Albuquerque on engaging members through expanded youth programs, enhancing study opportunities for all age groups, and welcoming the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Black was well-known in New Mexico’s Jewish community and was a popular speaker on Jewish topics for the greater community, Sigman said. Black was active in social-justice causes and served many community organizations, Jewish and non-Jewish.
His predecessor, Foster, spent four decades with Temple Emanuel and was known as the dean of Denver’s rabbinate. Foster was also known as a fierce liberal who was deeply involved in social justice and interfaith outreach. Foster announced his retirement in September.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
