Faces of TJE: Rabbi Tzvi & PB Alyesh Bid Farewell to Denver
After years of teaching, connecting, and being a warm presence within The Jewish Experience community, Rabbi Tzvi and PB Alyesh are preparing for their next chapter—and saying goodbye to Denver is bittersweet.
Reflecting on his time here, Rabbi Alyesh describes the Denver Jewish community as nothing short of family. “It’s a very strong community,” he says. “People care a lot. There are so many different parts to Jewish Denver, and each one has its own flavor and strengths.”
For them, the community was a tapestry woven from the home base on the West Side, the vibrant learning and events at Olami and The Jewish Experience, and the friendships formed through countless conversations, classes, and Shabbat tables. “Being here gave me a real sense of belonging,” shares PB Alyesh, “It’s a place where people show up for one another.”
Among his fondest memories are the moments that might seem small to an outsider but are monumental to a rabbi—seeing a student’s eyes light up with new understanding, celebrating simchas together, and being invited into people’s lives at their most meaningful moments. “When you’re welcomed into a community like this, when people open their homes and hearts, that leaves a mark,” Rabbi Alyesh reflects.
While leaving is hard, the next step in his journey is a natural extension of his passion for community care. Rabbi Alyesh is moving to Cleveland, where he will join Bikur Cholim, an organization dedicated to supporting those facing medical challenges and their families. “I’ve always been drawn to the human side of Torah—being there for people, making sure they feel seen and supported,” he says. “Bikur Cholim’s mission really speaks to me. It’s about being there when people need it most.”
“When you’re welcomed into a community like this, when people open their homes and hearts, that leaves a mark.”
His wife, PB, is also beginning an exciting new chapter. She has accepted a position at one of the larger Jewish schools as the financial assistant to the executive director. Together, they are looking forward to becoming part of a new community while continuing their shared commitment to Jewish life and service.
As the Alyeshes look ahead, they carry with them the lessons Denver has taught them: the power of connection, the value of showing up, and the joy of community life. “I’ve learned that community doesn’t just happen—it’s built, day by day, with acts of kindness, with invitations, with learning together. Denver has been a beautiful example of that for me,” offers PB.
Rabbi Alyesh also has a message for the people he’s leaving behind, a community that has become his extended family: “Thank you. Thank you for welcoming me, for trusting me, and for letting me be part of your lives. This isn’t goodbye forever. I hope to come back to visit often, and I hope we’ll stay connected. You should all know how special you are and how much your community shines.”
As The Jewish Experience and the Denver Jewish community wish Rabbi Alyesh and PB the best in their new roles, we do so with gratitude for the time, heart, and wisdom they shared here. Their presence will be missed, but their impact will continue to ripple through the lives they touched.
B’hatzlacha, Rabbi Alyesh and PB—Cleveland is lucky to have you both.
