“Never has there been a more critical time to strengthen and protect our Jewish community.”
With those words, JEWISHcolorado Board Chair Ben Lusher set the tone for the 2025 MEN’S EVENT on the evening of October 29. More than 700 attendees—both men and women—packed the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum at a dinner made possible by Presenting Sponsors Mizel Family Foundations and Staenberg Family Foundation. Those lucky enough to be there renewed old friendships, met new people, rubbed elbows with community leaders, honored founders of JEWISHcolorado’s Real Estate & Construction Network, ate their fill from multiple buffet tables, enjoyed adult beverages, and supported the ongoing work of JEWISHcolorado in the community.
“Across the world, the paradigm has shifted,” Lusher said, placing the importance of JEWISHcolorado’s evolving role into perspective. “The tone and tenor of our conversations have changed; the bonds that once felt unshakable now feel strained. We have felt the reverberations of rising antisemitism echo through our community—and we have seen its pain made real in the tragic attack in Boulder.”
JEWISHcolorado President & CEO Renée Rockford thanked elected officials and public servants of all affiliations who attended the dinner, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“This event is really about coming together to celebrate our vibrant Jewish community in Colorado,” Polis told the crowd. “I was honored that Colorado was recently recognized by the Anti-Defamation League as one of the nine leading states fighting antisemitism. Every step of the way, JEWISHcolorado is a partner in the work we are doing. Your support is a key part of making sure JEWISHcolorado can continue that work.”
Stuart Zall, Rob Kaufmann, and Mark Sidell
Highest honors of the night went to Rob Kaufmann, Mark Sidell, and Stuart Zall, whose vision helped launch JEWISHcolorado’s Real Estate & Construction Network, now one of JEWISHcolorado’s fastest-growing professional communities.
“Together, these three gentlemen have made a lasting impact on Colorado’s business and real estate community,” said Rockford as she introduced a video tribute to Kaufmann, Sidell, and Zall. “And together, they have close to a century of service to JEWISHcolorado and the Federation system. Incredible!”
Why donate?
Campaign Chair Adriane Greenberg described the programs that distinguish JEWISHcolorado’s presence in the community:
- When disaster strikes in Israel, it is JEWISHcolorado that mobilizes and ensures every dollar raised is delivered swiftly and responsibly.
- When we need emissaries to connect us to Israel, JEWISHcolorado brings a Shlicha, Nelly Ben Tal and Shinshinim.
- When we need to gather—in professional circles or as one united community—JEWISHcolorado brings us together.
- When our voices must be heard in the halls of power, it is the Jewish Community Relations Council that ensures they resonate.
- When our children and teens need belonging, identity, and support—JEWISHcolorado ensures it’s there.
- And when antisemitism or security threats arise—we respond, together with our partners, to protect every Jewish life and institution in our state.
“That is what Federation does,” Greenberg concluded. “That is what your support makes possible.”
“Every pledge, every act of giving is a declaration of faith in our community, our people, our safety and our future,” added JEWISHcolorado Vice Chair Neil Oberfeld. “Together, let us ensure that Jewish life in Colorado thrives for generations to come.”
In-the-room support for JEWISHcolorado came during a live auction as guests bid on three one-of-a-kind items including:
- “A Luxury Weekend Escape at the Monarch Resort Casino Spa” with a $1,000 resort credit donated by the Farahi family.
- “Undercover and Uncovered—An Afternoon of Adventure with the Elite” offering an opportunity to spend time with JEWISHcolorado’s three Regional Security Advisors, hearing about their previous careers in law enforcement, and enjoying a five-star meal at Shanahan’s Steakhouse.
- “Corvette Stingray.” Larry Mizel donated his one-of-a-kind Corvette Stingray with only 1,400 miles on it. Proceeds benefited JEWISHcolorado and The CELL.
Avi Mayer
Larry Mizel introduced keynote speaker Avi Mayer, founder of the Jerusalem Journal and former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post.
Mayer took the audience back two years to the weeks prior to October 7th, when thousands of people were participating in widespread demonstrations either protesting the actions of Netanyahu’s government or supporting the government.
“This was an extraordinarily painful time to be in Israel,” Mayer said. “It felt like this was a country that was tearing itself up from within. People were talking openly about the possibility of civil war. We were certain that this was going to be the story of the decade. But the truth is that we were actually asleep.”
Mayer went on to recount his personal October 7th experience, starting with the “cascade” of phone alerts he received that morning, to the “most bizarre Shabbat service I have ever attended” because the congregation had to retreat to the bomb shelter every 15 minutes. As the day wore on, he described struggling to obtain hard information to explain the increasing death count.
“I still remember the chill that ran down my spine when we learned that there were communities in southern Israel that had been conquered by Hamas,” he said. “It started dawning on us that this was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. That is how our two-year nightmare began.”
Although this was the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, Mayer said, the response of the world was not a wave of sympathy and support but rather “hate and condemnation that has continued and intensified to this day.”
“The sheer number of people who have been directly impacted by this war is unfathomable, Mayer said. “There was disbelief that we still had living people held in Hamas dungeons.”
Then, two weeks ago, Mayer awoke to an announcement from the President of the United States that a ceasefire was imminent and all the living hostages would be freed.
“It felt like a dream,” Mayer said. “And yet, after every nightmare and every dream, at some point, we awaken to reality.”
The reality, Mayer said, is that a country that was tearing itself apart two years ago is now coming together in ways never seen before. A country that has not been able to process healing while hostages were still imprisoned can move forward. Young people who were protesting two years ago now are serving in the military, fighting and dying for Israel. Returned hostages have asked to go back into combat.
“How have we raised this incredible generation of young Israelis who are passionate, who are dedicated, who are more in tune with their Jewish and Zionist identity than any of us could ever imagine?” Mayer said. “While the path ahead of us is extraordinarily challenging, while we have a long way to go, I find myself more optimistic and more hopeful about the future of Israel since October 7th than I ever was before.”