BMH-BJ Moves Toward Modern Orthodoxy, Stirring Debate Among Members

Beth HaMedrosh Hagodol-Beth Joseph, better known as BMH-BJ, is entering a new phase of its 127-year history. Once defined by mixed seating, the synagogue has now adopted a Modern Orthodox identity. 

Beth HaMedrosh Hagodol, founded in 1897, began as a Modern Orthodox synagogue and quickly became one of Denver’s largest. It merged with Beth Joseph, an Orthodox congregation founded in 1922, in 1996.

“Over time, it became very difficult for our synagogue to maintain that affiliation and even to promote the Orthodox orbit idea because Orthodoxy had changed,” said Rabbi Emeritus Yaakov Chaitovsky 

For decades, BMH-BJ held a distinctive position in the Orthodox community: It was the last Orthodox Union-affiliated congregation in the U.S. to allow men and women to sit together. In 2016, the synagogue resigned from the Orthodox Union after learning that the organization planned to remove them due to this issue. Since then, BMH-BJ has described itself as an “independent Orthodox Congregation.” This fall, that independence took a new turn. 

Through a new initiative called “A Path Forward,” the synagogue installed a mechitza, a partition separating men and women during services, formally aligning with Orthodox norms. “Orthodoxy is where the vibrancy is of the community today, and in order to be part of that community, a mechitza had to be part of that,” Chaitovsky said. 

According to Jacqui Beckett, the BMH-BJ president, the decision was made after months of research, community input, and a unanimous board vote. 

“What we are going to be is a modern outreach-oriented Orthodox congregation,” Beckett said. “Our orthodoxy is going to be kinder and gentler and be very open.” 

Some BMH-BJ members see this change as a positive revitalization. “It’s nice to have a more religious take on things,” said Naomi Kimel, a Denver Jewish Day School junior whose family belongs to the congregation. “There are a lot of Orthodox Jews in Colorado... It’s good for the community.” 

Other students, however, say this change feels sudden. “They just made a lot more changes,” said Sydney Zimmerman, a DJDS freshman and BMH-BJ member. “It’s just kind of weird and a little much now... Since Denver Kehillah moved, it's a lot less people I hang out with now.” 

That move, the departure of The Denver Kehillah, an independent Modern Orthodox congregation that had shared space in the BMH-BJ Monaco Parkway building, has added to the sense of upheaval. BMH-BJ leaders said the Kehillah’s relocation was separate from their new strategic plan. 

The rabbinical leadership trasition is another part of BMH-BJ’s rebrand. Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky, who has guided the congregation since 1995, has become Rabbi Emeritus while remaining its Senior Halachic Rabbi until a successor is hired. 

As part of his new role, Rabbi Chaitovsky will continue to teach, lead trips, and assist with life-cycle events. “I’m here to support whatever is in the best interest of the synagogue because I love the shul and always have,” he said. 

Overall, these changes, however, have drawn skepticism and criticism. “The members that are there came to BMH because they liked the mixed seating situation, and now we're asking them to sit separately... And so, I know that turns off a lot of people,” said Jerry Rotenberg, DJDS Judaics teacher and former BMH-BJ president. “I don't see them growing by much. I think they'll be around in five or ten years, but I don't see that they're going to last, 'cause the place has been there for more than 100 years. I don't see it lasting that long.” 

Synagogue leaders insist that inclusivity remains central to the congregation’s identity. “Every person in our community, as I said, we want to be able to feel comfortable within our synagogue, and no matter which background you come from,” Chaitovsky said. “I consider it [the changes], the pinnacle achievement of my rabbinical career.”

For now, BMH-BJ stands at a crossroads, balancing its long legacy with the challenges of innovation. “I think it’s in a good direction,” said Zeke Brooks, a DJDS sophomore and frequent guest at BMH-BJ. “I can’t ask for anything more.”