The Jewish Outreach Initiative is

Name: JOI
Address: 8621 East Grand Avenue, Denver, CO, 80237, US
Telephone: (720) 900-4420

a program of Aish of the Rockies

Timeless
Wisdom For
Modern Lives

The destination for Young Jewish Families in Denver to experience the JOI in Judaism in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

JOI Presents Spring Symposium 2025:

FRONTLINE WARRIORS

THE FIGHT AGAINST CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM

an Aish Ha'am Production
with special guest
Shabbos Kestenbaum

Learn More

In order to provide more equitable access to our programs, JOI has moved to "set your own price/donation" tickets for all of our programing. This way, you can pay what you think each program is worth to you, taking into consideration how much you can afford or you can choose to pay more to help offset the price for those less fortunate. For reference, events with dinner costs JOI about $40/person.

Hebrew School Reengineered from the Ground up.

Learn More

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OUR

ABOUT

The Jewish Outreach Initiative's mission is to Inspire people to live more thoughtful, spiritual, and impactful lives through Jewish learning and living. We offer programs for Young Jewish Families in the Denver Metro Area

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ABOUT US

JOI promo 2019

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CONTACT

‪(720) 900-4420‬

VISIT

For Jhub address, please contact us at ‪(720) 900-4420‬

SUBSCRIBE

SOCIAL

📖 Parshat Mishpatim This Week: In the great Sanhedrin, the highest judges spoke last to prevent their opinions from swaying others. Next time you discuss world events at your dinner table, try posing questions instead of stating opinions. Let your children form their own perspectives. True leadership isn't about influencing thoughts—it's about creating safe spaces where independent thinking can flourish. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem. 💭

#Torah #Parsha #TorahWisdom

5 explosive devices were planted on board 5 different buses in Central Israel. 3 devices exploded on empty buses; 2 didn't explode
Israeli transport minister ordered all buses, trains and light rail trains to stop their activity in order to check for explosive devices. Apparently they were meant to detonate during rush hour tomorrow morning. Thank God no one was injured. This needs to end. Now.

The now-famous photo captured the terror in Shiri’s eyes as she clung to her children Ariel, 4, and Kfir, just 9 months old during their abduction.

Their coffins were paraded through cheering crowds and used as propaganda. The world saw. And the world stayed silent.

We freed convicted terrorists with blood on their hands just to get their bodies back and their bodies have returned home for a proper burial.

"Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us." – Golda Meir

#NeverAgain #BringThemHome #Israel #StandWithIsrael

The purpose of lighting candles at the onset of Shabbat is to bring light into your home, which, according to the Talmud (a collection of Jewish wisdom, laws, traditions, and customs), is a symbol of peace. Darkness causes confusion and panic, whereas light brings tranquility. That’s true on a literal level—you’re less likely to bump into things when the lights are on—but is true on a metaphoric level as well, and represents a longing within the Jewish spirit for a day of true, ultimate, and lasting peace.

Some classical Jewish sources even claim that lighting Shabbat candles dates back to biblical times, to when Moses, a great teacher and leader of the Jewish people, was alive. Regardless of when the practice began, lighting candles Friday night before sundown is a beautiful commandment to fulfill.

#Jewish #Shabbat #ShabbatCandles #Torah

Perspectives from Jerusalem on this dark day that our babies finally come home but in the way we feared and dreaded. Over 500 days of intense prayer and hoping ending in this horrific tragic outcome. Today the heavens are crying with us. Let’s hold each other up. Let’s find the inner strength to bring more and more light to this very dark world. #bibas #kfir #shiri #oded may their memories be a revolution

Israel is waiting for you! Why not join us on a JOi trip this summer? Reach out for details!

🧠 Would you listen to advice from someone who's already made the mistakes?

Parents have a goldmine of wisdom - if only we'd listen! Imagine saving years of struggle by learning from those who've already walked the path.

The ultimate hack? Learning directly from the source - the "maze maker" of life.

Share this with someone who needs to hear it.
#LifeLessons #WisdomSharing #PersonalDevelopment

🥯 Sourdough Bagel Magic: Starter to Stunner! 🥯
Turn that sourdough discard into bakery-worthy bagels! This simple recipe transforms your starter into perfectly chewy rings with that signature glossy crust.
You know how everything tastes better homemade? These bagels prove it with their tangy sourdough flavor and perfect texture!

Ingredients:
2 cups warm water
½ cup sourdough discard
1.5-2 packages of instant yeast
2 tablespoons white sugar
2½ teaspoons kosher salt
6 cups bread flour
Optional: egg wash & toppings

Steps:
1. Mix ingredients with the dough hook
2. Let rise until doubled
3. Cut into 8-12 pieces and form balls
4. Rest 10 mins, then poke and stretch holes
5. Rest another 10 mins
6. Boil in honey water for 1-2 mins per side
7. Add toppings and bake at 400° for 25-30 mins

Save this recipe for your next sourdough discard day! Would you try these homemade bagels?
What's your favorite bagel topping? Share your creative ideas below! 👇
#SourdoughBagels #StarterDiscard #BreadHacks

Sometimes, we need to disconnect to truly connect.
Imagine a weekly pause button for life. No devices. No distractions. Just pure, uninterrupted presence with the people who matter most.

That's Shabbat. A radical act of reclaiming your time and attention in a world that's constantly pulling you apart.

Could you create one device-free moment this week? #Shabbat #DigitalDetox

🍀 Serendipity isn't an accident - it's divine design.

Sharing on the Zero Percent podcast how Tehilla’s Jewish journey wasn't a random encounter, but a carefully orchestrated path. Like the Purim story, sometimes we only understand God's plan in hindsight.

What seemingly random moment changed your life?
#DivineGuidance #PersonalStory #Serendipity

May this be the last time I need to see this display 💔 #bringthemhomenow
#bringthemhome
#Coloradostandswithisrael
#istandwithisrael
#Israel
#freepalastinefromhamas
#amyisraelchai💙🇮🇱
#amyisraelchai
#endjewhatred
#neveragainisnow
#standwithisrael
#amyisroelchai

Parshat Yitro: The Power of Deep Listening

📖 Parshat Yitro This Week: In a world of endless scrolling, we often hear without truly listening. When Yitro 'heard' (וַיִּשְׁמַע/vayishma) about God's miracles, he didn't just absorb information—he internalized it so deeply that it transformed his life. Like the Shema, true listening means letting wisdom penetrate our hearts and shape our actions. Instead of chasing more content this week, find one meaningful message and let it truly change you. Shabbat Shalom. 👂

#TorahWisdom #Torah #SpiritualGrowth

My shirt is torn much like our collective Jewish heart for the past 2,000 years and particularly the past 497 days

Home at last! Oh how I’ve missed you. It’s been way too long… shabbat shalom from the everlasting capital of the Jewish People

📱 Technology: Tool or MASTER?

We're more connected than ever, yet constantly complaining about having no time. The irony? Our devices are meant to inspire us, not control us.

Be present. Be in control. Use technology, don't let it use you.

Double tap if you're reclaiming your attention! Share this with a friend who needs a digital detox.

#DigitalWellness #Mindfulness #TechBalance

“Amen” is a Hebrew word that first appears in the Torah, and has since been appropriated by Christianity and Islam.

#Jewish #Hebrew #Torah #Amen

🚗 At 17, Tehilla made a choice that changed everything.

During the Zero Percent podcast, Tehilla revealed her moment of spiritual honesty.

When did you last choose authenticity over expectation?

#PersonalGrowth #SpiritualAwakening #Authenticity

🌭 BBQ Hot Dog Rice Bowl: Yesterday's Dogs, Today's Delight! 🍚
Remember our viral Hot Dog Chips? We're taking that crispy magic to the next level! This leftover makeover turns those extra hot dogs and leftover rice into a meal that's anything but boring.
You know how everything tastes better crispy? Well, we're about to prove that with this genius rice bowl upgrade. It's like your favorite BBQ joint met your midnight hot dog craving!

Ingredients:
1. Leftover hot dogs (thawed)
2. Leftover rice
3. BBQ sauce
4. Water

Steps:
1. Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and water
2. Slice hot dogs thinly
3. Dip slices in BBQ mixture
4. Air fry at highest temp for 15-20 mins until crispy
5. Chop crispy pieces into bits
6. Mix with rice

Pro tip: Want extra texture? Leave some pieces bigger for more crunch! 🔥
Save this recipe for your next leftover rescue!

#LeftoverMakeover #RiceBowl #FoodHacks

I remember the first time I time I saw a snowflake. I was in my 30s. I had no idea you could see this ❄️ with the naked eye. I was so mesmerized. I still am as I sit in my parked car and stare at these tiny intricately crafted works of art falling on my windshield. #beauty #snow #snowflakes #frozen

We were told technology would give us MORE time.
Instead? We're busier than ever. Drowning in notifications, pulled between urgent and important. It's not about having more time - it's about how we choose to use the time we have.

Our most valuable asset isn't money. It's these moments, right here, right now.

How are YOU spending your most precious resource? #TimeManagement #IntentionalLiving

🌟 It's been another exciting week at our site, filled with fun and engaging activities! It might be time for a change if your kids don't love their Hebrew school experience! 💡✨

Explore what we offer by visiting http://joidenver.com/site or DM us for more information. Let's create a vibrant and joyful learning environment for your children!

#HebrewSchool #JewishEducation #LearnAndGrow

�⏳ Are you existing... or truly LIVING?

Every moment is a choice between merely existing and truly living. We're all moving towards our end, but what matters is how we choose to spend each moment.

Life isn't about counting down the days - it's about making the days count.

Double tap if you're committed to LIVING, not just existing! Share with someone who needs this reminder.
#LiveIntentionally #LifeChoices #Mindfulness

@wsj i’ve seen this several times already where the same people who said Gaza was an open air prison are now saying how it was such a beautiful bustling economic center. Make up your minds!

📖 Parshat Beshalach This Week

At the splitting of the sea, millions sang 'Zeh Eli V'anveihu' (This is my God)—not our God. Even in shared miracles, each person's experience is uniquely their own. Like our ancestors at the sea, every spiritual journey is deeply personal, every relationship with the Divine distinctly individual. Your path is yours alone to walk. Shabbat Shalom. 🌊

Registration is now open for the most fun family event of the year - JOI’s annual Purim Celebration with @pj_library_jewish_colorado @jewish_colorado . Don’t miss the fun and excitement at the children’s museum RSVP today at joidenver.com (link in bio)

Have you had Crembo? Would you try it? ☺️😋

#Jewish #Israel #Crembo

Jacob was given the name “Israel” after wrestling with the spiritual force that oversaw his brother, Esau (according to the great medieval scholar, Rashi). According to some biblical commentators, that spiritual force represents evil, or the Yetzer Hara (יצר הרע), which is the anthropomorphic term used to describe a person’s evil inclination.

In Genesis 25:26, which describes Jacob and Esau’s birth (they were twins), Jacob was born second, and grabbed onto his brother’s heel. His name, Jacob (יעקב), comes from the Hebrew word for heel, aikev (עקב). In a sense, Jacob’s birth symbolizes the human condition: he was born, so to speak, at the heel of his instincts and desires.

The point of living a Jewish life is to overcome your base, physical desires, and to recognize the divine, ideally seeing God’s hand in your life.

From that perspective, when Jacob overcame his physical nature, as represented by Esau’s spiritual force—or the evil inclination that he wrestled with—his name was changed to Israel, which could also be read, Yashar El (ישר אל), or “straight to God.”

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The Jewish Outreach Initiative is

a program of Aish of the Rockies

Timeless
Wisdom For
Modern Lives

The destination for Young Jewish Families in Denver to experience the JOI in Judaism in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

JOI Presents Spring Symposium 2025:

FRONTLINE WARRIORS

THE FIGHT AGAINST CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM

an Aish Ha'am Production
with special guest
Shabbos Kestenbaum

Featured Events

Hebrew School Reengineered from the Ground up.

MEET
OUR

ABOUT

JOI promo 2019

CONTACT

VISIT

SUBSCRIBE

SOCIAL

Follow us on Instagram

​

The Jewish Outreach Initiative is

a program of Aish of the Rockies

Timeless Wisdom For Modern Lives

The destination for Young Jewish Families in Denver to experience the JOI in Judaism in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

JOI Presents Spring Symposium 2025:

FRONTLINE WARRIORS

THE FIGHT AGAINST CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM

an Aish Ha'am Production with special guest Shabbos Kestenbaum

Featured Events

Hebrew School Reengineered from the Ground up.

MEET OUR

ABOUT

JOI promo 2019

CONTACT

VISIT

SUBSCRIBE

SOCIAL

​

Follow us on Instagram

Timeless
Wisdom For
Modern Lives

an Aish Ha'am Production
with special guest
Shabbos Kestenbaum

MEET
OUR