A Rosh Hashanah Message From Mar Abba

Dear DAT families,

 

What a week this has been! Yesterday I stood in the hallway and watched our students crowd around the apples and honey station – little hands reaching for apple slices, older kids helping younger ones, the teachers and Bnot Sherut doling out caramel, sprinkles and other yummy toppings, honey inevitably ending up in places honey should not be, and Rabbi Bodner blowing the shofar for each and every class. It was noisy and sticky and completely wonderful. And then, just hours later, our school community gathered again for an evening of musical selichot with Moreh Eliahu – a different kind of sweetness, quieter and deeper, voices joining together as we continued the work of returning and repairing what needs fixing. 

 

I get goosebumps as I’m writing, as I think about how powerful it was to be with the school community at that selichot, everyone singing Hanan Ben Ari’s rendition of Hashivenu. Hashivenu Hashem eilecha v’nashuvah, chadesh yameinu k’kedem… Return us to You, Hashem, and we shall return; renew our days as of old. Ben Ari released the song as the last of the 20 living hostages were coming home to Israel.  Hashivenu…

That is really what these days are about: renewal and return. Not starting over from nothing, but coming back to who we truly are and who we want to be – as individuals, as families, and as a school.

 

On Rosh Hashanah night, we wish each other “L’shanah tovah tikateivu v’teichateimu” – may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year, and “L’shanah tova u’metukah”, blessings for a good and sweet year. There is a teaching that as the ayneklach and descendants of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu, we have inherited the power of blessing. When you truly want good for someone – when the blessing comes from the depths of your heart – it matters. It can actually help inscribe them in the Book of Life. And why do we ask specifically for a sweet year? Because sweet is the taste of Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden.

 

So this year, let’s bless each other and really mean it. From my family to yours: may you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year – a year of health, growth, and closeness with one another.

 

And from our DAT family to yours, wishing each and everyone of you a Shanah tovah u’metukah and a gut gebenshte yohr!

Mar Abba

Head of School

Denver Academy of Torah Annual Event 2026 FAQ
Event Guide
Annual Event FAQ

Denver Academy of Torah Annual Event 2026

Q1

Will this annual event be like previous years?

Yes and no! This year, we are excited to have a theater-style seated concert, featuring the acclaimed band Zusha, instead of a typical banquet-style dinner. Before the concert, there will still be ample food and beverage stations throughout the reception area! Ahead of the feature performance, we will begin the program with inspiring updates about DAT and our incredible students, like we usually do at our annual event.

We are excited for the new format to create a warmer, family-friendly atmosphere, while maintaining the elevated feel of an annual event. Attire will be Colorado Cocktail.

Q2

Is this event for the whole family?

Typically, DAT's Annual Event is primarily for adults, however due to the exciting nature of this year's concert, we are also welcoming students to attend (limited student tickets are available for purchase).

Q3

Are students going to be in the same space as the adults?

During the reception, the students will be in a separate room with supervision and their own food and activities. They must be accompanied by an adult to attend the event, but all adults can enjoy the reception while students have their own programming. Everyone will come together for the program and concert.

Q4

When and where exactly is the annual event?

Exact details are being withheld for security purposes. We have started sending the time and location out to those who have registered and been vetted, and will continue to do so on a regular basis until the day of the event.

Q5

Why should I attend the annual event?

The annual event is one of the only times that parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, staff, friends, and supporters come together to celebrate and show appreciation for the school community and all DAT provides its students, the future of our Jewish community. This event is open to the entire Denver Jewish community.

Q6

Is the annual event a fundraiser?

Yes! All funds raised from the Annual Event go toward DAT's annual campaign, which is a critical component of DAT's annual operating budget. Tuition dollars alone do not cover the cost of a high-quality general and Judaic studies education rooted in Torah values.

This funding helps provide our students opportunities in STEM, sports, the arts, community engagement, leadership initiatives, service projects, real-world internships, and engaging Israel programming. Funds raised also help ensure that a DAT education is accessible to the broader Jewish community of Denver.

It takes the generosity and commitment of a strong and united community - including parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni families, and community members - to ensure DAT's ability to provide students a foundation for Jewish life and prepare our alumni to be the next generation of Jewish leaders.

We look forward to seeing you on May 19!

Designed by Amir Cohen