Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald
About Me
I’m Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald, a passionate Jewish leader dedicated to building vibrant, inclusive, and spiritually engaged communities. For 16 years, I served at the Hebrew Educational Alliance (HEA) in Denver, guiding individuals and families, leading inspiring prayer experiences, and strengthening Jewish life through creative and meaningful programming.
I now serve as Interim Jewish Chaplain at the Claremont Colleges, supporting Jewish students across seven campuses and fostering spiritual growth, community, and meaningful exploration of Jewish identity.
I believe deeply in egalitarian and inclusive Judaism — creating spaces where all feel welcome and valued. Music and soulful prayer are central to my work, as are creative approaches to teaching and community-building that make Judaism accessible, relevant, and deeply meaningful.
I was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University and hold a Master’s degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Women’s Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Originally from California, I now live in Denver with my wife, Melanie, and our twins, Hannah and Micah. We carry the memory of their older brother Koby, of blessed memory, in all we do. Beyond my rabbinic work, I love art, Hebrew calligraphy, hiking, and snowboarding.
More About Me?
I was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University and hold a Master’s degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Women’s Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
I grew up in Southern California and I am a proud first-generation American. My grandparents fled Europe during the Holocaust and settled in Peru, where my parents were born and raised.
My wife Melanie is also a Jewish professional and currently serves as the Executive Director of Kabbalah Experience. We have three children - Hannah, Micah and Koby (of blessed memory).
In my free time I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, cycling, yoga and occasionally performing stand-up comedy. I dabble in visual arts and have studied painting, ceramics, printmaking, and Hebrew calligraphy. I very recently learned how to make a website!
Sermon Examples
Click the links to view videos and written sermons
There is a Crack in Everything
Yom Kippur 2017
In this deeply personal Yom Kippur sermon, I reflect on brokenness—of tablets, of hearts, of lives—and the holiness that can dwell within it. Drawing on Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah, and Leonard Cohen, I share how my family’s struggles with illness taught me that to live fully is to hold the holy and the broken together. Through teshuvah, tefillah, and tzedakah, we learn to embrace our cracks—not as flaws to hide, but as openings through which light and love enter the world.
Living Jewishly is the Best Revenge
Yom Kippur 2023
After visiting Auschwitz and finding my family’s names in the Book of Names, I reflected on rising antisemitism and the resilience of Jewish life. Our best response to hate is to live Jewishly—with pride, courage, and joy.
Unconquerable Israel: Diversity as Strength in a Time of War
Eight months into the hostage crisis and war, I spoke about what true leadership requires in a time of deep division. Leadership, I suggested, isn’t about echoing people’s opinions but about offering moral vision. Whether in Israel, our community, or the wider world, we need voices of courage, clarity, and compassion to lead us toward justice, security, and peace.
Parshat Nasso 2015
Nothing So Whole as a Broken Heart
In this sermon, I reflect on what it means to be a healer—not by mending wounds, but by holding brokenness with compassion. The Torah’s story of the Sotah teaches that even God allows the divine name to be erased for the sake of peace, reminding me that true healing often requires humility, forgiveness, and the courage to see wholeness within our brokenness.
The Art of Gathering
Rosh Hashanah 2019
In this Rosh Hashanah sermon, I explore how Judaism’s timeless rhythm of mikraei kodesh—holy gatherings—can heal the loneliness and fragmentation of modern life. Drawing inspiration from Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, I suggest that Shabbat offers the ultimate model for purposeful, transformative connection: a weekly “temporary alternative world” where we put aside distractions, open our homes, and meet one another with intention, empathy, and joy. By reclaiming Shabbat as the heart of relational community, we can rediscover how to gather—and how to live—more deeply.
Abortion, Judaism, & Religious Liberty: A Response to Dobbs
The overturning Roe v. Wade endangers not only women’s autonomy but also America’s promise of religious freedom. Jewish tradition prioritizes the life and well-being of the mother, making reproductive choice a matter of faith and ethics—and no religion’s beliefs should be imposed by law.
Face to Face Community
Rosh Hashanah 2022
After two years of pandemic isolation, I set out to rebuild community one cup of coffee at a time. These conversations taught me that real connection happens panim-el-panim, when we truly see one another as reflections of the Divine. Reclaiming that sacred, in-person encounter is not only the antidote to loneliness, but also the key to healing a divided world.
Aaron Was Silent - Marking Six Months since October 7
This sermon is a reflection I gave about the hostages marking six months of war in Gaza. This sermon, which I gave without notes, is an example of my extemporaneous speaking style.
The Gift of Service - My Farewell Sermon at HEA, July 2024
In my final sermon at HEA, I shared gratitude for sixteen years of learning, love, and sacred work. Reflecting on turning fifty—my personal Yovel—I spoke about three enduring lessons: that life is an unearned gift, that it comes as a full package of blessing and struggle, and that we always retain the power to choose our response to chaos. Serving this congregation has been a profound privilege, a true avodat matanah—a gift of service—and I leave blessing our community to move forward with courage, compassion, and peace.
Prayer Service Leadership
Click the links below to view videos of different styles of services I have led.
Traditional Shabbat Morning Service
This is an example of HEA’s traditional service using nusach and well-known congregational melodies. This video offers a sample of my singing the Shacharit service.
Shir Hadash - Musical Shabbat Morning Service
Shir Hadash is a dynamic, creative and participatory service I helped create at the Hebrew Educational Alliance. It is led by a “Davenning Team” of volunteer singers who model participation and includes percussion and contemporary melodies.
Azamra
I created Azamra with then-cantor Arielle Reisner during the pandemic as an intimate, music-filled Kabbalat Shabbat experience designed to nurture connection and joy in a time of isolation. What began in my basement—with a simple Shabbat table, guitar, and heartfelt singing—evolved into a soulful gathering where prayer, conversation, and community flowed naturally. Azamra invites participants to greet Shabbat with authenticity, laughter, and song
Funeral of Jack Grynberg (z"l)
An example of a funeral. With permission of the family. May Jack Grynberg’s memory be a blessing to those who loved him.
Purim 2022 Slide Show
HEA’s megillah reading in 2022 took place shortly after I was appointed senior rabbi. I dressed up as “the devil you know.” This video also features the slide show I creaed to accompany the Book of Esther. I recreate this video each year with new content.
A Charge to a Bat Mitzvah
An example of my blessing to a bat mitzvah. With permission of the family.