Congregation Bonai Shalom held their annual Bonai Creek Fest on Sunday, August 24th, and celebrated something old, and something new — their ten-year-old relationship with Rabbi Marc Soloway, and their newly-renovated synagogue building at 1527 Cherryvale St.  It seemed like every one of their 200-plus families turned out to see the renovated building with its new, sleeker and more useful layout, have their kids play in the bounce house and on the climbing wall, and eat a delicious vegetarian kosher dinner by their branch of the Boulder Creek that flows through their back yard.  It was the creek that flooded their building and the rabbi’s house next door last September that resulted in the renovations to their 30-year-old location.

Meanwhile, the Bonai community — and the broader Boulder Jewish community — celebrated the ten-year tenure of Rabbi Marc Soloway as Bonai Shalom’s rabbi.  Joan Nagle, a member of the rabbi selection committee in 2004, recounted the steps they took in finding and interviewing — and ultimately luring — Rabbi Marc into giving up his sure London job for Boulder, Colorado and Bonai Shalom after he graduated from JTS ten years ago.

Haver, Boulder’s Rabbinic Fellowship, included the following tribute in the book that was presented to Rabbi Marc by Rachel Amaru on behalf of Bonai Shalom:

Dear Rabbi Marc,

There are so many outstanding qualities that we appreciate about you:

Here is just a ‘sample menu’:

Appetizers:

• Your choice and kavana of soulful melodies to open minds and hearts
• Your love of nature, earth, environment, biking, camping, skiing, alone and in company

Main Course:

• Your open, warm and welcoming heart that lets in people of all ages, denominations, and cultures- and allows the support and solace of so many and varied deep relationships
• Your dedication to your profession: a passion for both tradition and innovation, coming from a place of authentic personal growth and desire for Jewish unity
• Your love of Torah- learning, sharing, and educating both individuals and community, with inspiring drashot at life-cycle events

Dessert:

• Your great sense of humor -a trait that can defuse otherwise tense situations
• Your joy and generosity in hosting, cooking, and other numerous acts of kindness

After Dinner Beer:

• Your deep concern for social justice

And above all, for a broad spectrum of yet to be realized potential in so many areas: we honor you for the golden seeds you have planted thus far, and anticipate beautiful gardens that are yet to come.

With love and respect,

Haver-Boulder Rabbinic Fellowship

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