Beth Evergreen honors Rabbi Arnold’s 20 years of service

EVERGREEN, Colo. — Congregation Beth Evergreen is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rabbi Benjamin “Jamie” Arnold’s leadership, honoring his two decades of service to the foothills Jewish community and his commitment to interfaith initiatives.

Rabbi Arnold joined the Evergreen-based Reconstructionist synagogue in 2005. Since then, membership has nearly doubled to more than 200 households. His tenure coincides with the congregation’s broader milestone of 51 years of Jewish life in Colorado’s mountain communities.

“It’s all about partnership,” Arnold said. “I am truly blessed to have had the honor to witness, nurture and guide the blossoming of this community. Our strength lies in the vibrant tapestry of members who find their unique place here.”

Under Rabbi Arnold’s guidance, Beth Evergreen has become a center of Jewish worship, learning and community engagement. His leadership has also extended beyond synagogue walls through active participation in interfaith and civic efforts. He has worked with local schools, civic groups such as the Rotary Club and Resilience1220, and helped launch the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program.

Board president Kathleen “Kat” Connelly said the back-to-back anniversaries of the synagogue and Rabbi Arnold underscore the community’s growth and inclusive spirit.

Beth Evergreen’s member families span Colorado and beyond. Its Elk Meadow campus supports a unique “mountain Jewish” identity and serves as a hub for programs like the Evergreen EChO Shelter and the American Day of Atonement, held each Jan. 10.

In honor of Rabbi Arnold’s 20th anniversary, the congregation is inviting the public to support its endowment, which helps sustain leadership and Jewish life in the region. Supporters may donate, contribute to a commemorative memory book or attend upcoming celebratory events.

Congregation Beth Evergreen was established in 1974 and opened its synagogue building in 2003. It is a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation and welcomes individuals and families from a range of Jewish and interfaith backgrounds.