Denver Jewish group works on boosting community
Judaism is so steeped in tradition that even Jews who don’t consider themselves religious value their heritage and feel somewhat alienated when they’re not around other Jews.
Sandy Hollander moved from Las Vegas to Broomfield about two months ago. The closest synagogue she’s found is about a half-hour away in Boulder. Hollander, 73, said she’s reluctant to drive that far for Friday-evening services because she doesn’t see well at night.
“It would be nice to meet some Jewish people,” she said. “I don’t think there are many — if any — in this area. I’m very traditional with observing holidays and very proud of my heritage. I guess I get a feeling of belonging, and I want to know at least some Jewish people.”
Geographic dispersion poses a challenge for organizations trying to reach out to newcomers and young families. Most of the synagogues and Jewish organizations are in Denver’s core, where early Jewish settlers put down their roots.
Metro Denver’s Jewish population has increased 33 percent in the last decade, with the bulk of the growth gravitating to the south metro area. South metro’s Jewish population has increased 66 percent to 19,800 people.
But south metro Denver has limited Jewish infrastructure, an issue the Allied Jewish Federation is working to correct. The federation, which identified more than $300 million in need for the Jewish community, is working on a community plan for the next 25 years that will add new programs and facilities throughout the region.
During the first phase, the federation plans to raise about $75 million developing eight Jewish campuses in the Denver-Boulder region.
“It’s still a speculative project,” said Doug Seserman, president and chief executive of the federation.
Rabbi Yaakov Meyer was a pioneer in serving Denver’s south metro area, establishing the Southeast Center for Judaism in 1996 with membership of 11 families.
By 1999, membership swelled to about 140 families, forcing the largely Orthodox congregation to move to a larger space. Now called Aish Denver, the congregation has grown to more than 200 families and is building a new synagogue. In addition to the sanctuary, the new facility will include a Hebrew school and a children’s media-resource center with Jewish books and DVDs.
“I’m interested in getting the disinterested interested,” Meyer said. “We’re here to help educate individual Jews, not to save the Jewish people.”
