JEWISHcolorado’s Aspen Summer Event, generously presented by Julie & Steve Schlafer with additional support from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), brought together a standing-room only crowd amid a backdrop of recent heartbreak and resilience.
Willie Recht, JEWISHcolorado’s Chief Development Officer, opened the night by acknowledging the challenges facing both the global and Colorado Jewish communities, including the devastating firebomb attack in Boulder and the impact of the Iranian strikes in Israel. Despite these painful moments, the evening served as a powerful reminder of the strength and unity of the Jewish community.
Recht highlighted JEWISHcolorado’s critical statewide efforts, from security through Jco’s partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN) and education through programs like PJ Library to advocacy through our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Israel engagement through partnerships with Ramat HaNegev and more, reinforcing how vital community support is to sustaining this work.
“Whether you spend a week, a month, or 6 months here a year, or call Aspen home, you know that your local Federation is working on your behalf, convening, connecting, investing in, and protecting Jewish life here in the valley, and across the state,” said Recht.
Julie Schlafer, a member of JFNA’s National Women’s Philanthropy Board, reminded everyone that their continued investment in Jewish infrastructure—including safety, engagement, and education—is what makes Jewish life possible in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.
She emphasized the importance of immediate and ongoing support, saying, “The reason you must give to JEWISHcolorado now is we support Jewish life here on an ongoing basis and have the infrastructure in place to respond rapidly when an emergency inevitably happens.”
Steve Schlafer introduced Rabbi David Wolpe, who concluded the evening with inspiring remarks on The Future of Jewish Life in America.
Rabbi Wolpe emphasized the importance of faith, resilience, and community involvement in shaping it the Jewish future. Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Rabbi Wolpe is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. He serves as the ADL’s inaugural rabbinic fellow and a scholar in residence at the Maimonides Fund, and has taught at Harvard, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the American Jewish University, Hunter College, and UCLA.
