Debra Weinstein will be honored with the 2026 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award locally in November and at the International Lion of Judah Conference in February 2027. She has been a Lion of Judah for decades and was honored with the Golda Award in 2011. She was also the Colorado Co-Chair of the General Assembly.
Recently, JEWISHcolorado spoke with her about her many years of philanthropy and volunteerism in Colorado’s Jewish community. If you know Debra you know how passionate she is about our Jewish community. If you don’t know her, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the type of leader she is.
Congratulations on this honor! What was your reaction when you heard about it?
It has been a tradition for JEWISHcolorado that a group of women leaders take the honoree to lunch and tell you that you have been selected as this year’s winner. I did not have the opportunity to join the women for lunch, so my dear friend Nancy Gart came over and told me that I was going to receive the Kipnis award. I was so humbled and also taken aback. What an extraordinary honor, at this time in life, when I thought I had retired. Thank you so much. I am so very grateful.
You have a history of commitment to JEWISHcolorado and to Colorado’s Jewish community that dates back for decades. Were you influenced by previous generations in your family?
When asked where I learned to give, I always answer the same way. When I was five years old, I would walk the streets of our neighborhood, Cory-Merrill. My daddy and I walked hand in hand to sell salamis out of my red wagon. We were some of the original “bell ringers.” When our neighbors opened the door, they were all excited to see my dad. I thought he was the coolest person EVER. The proceeds from the sale of the salamis went to my synagogue. My dad would not let us return home until all of the salamis were sold. The sense of pride that I got when turning in those dollars to the rabbi created a memory and a feeling that I carry to this day.
That’s a wonderful memory!
I also remember the Jewish National Fund (JNF) blue box in my home. Who didn’t have a blue box? You picked up the blue box at Sunday School and put your loose change in it—a nickel here, a nickel there—and when it was full, you took it to the rabbi at synagogue, and he would give you another box to fill. Our family had a blue box. To this day, JNF is an important part of my philanthropy also. And today, unlike those early days, I know where the money goes.
Why do you think it was important for your parents to set that example for you?
My parents had a deep emotional commitment to being Jewish and raising Jewish children. They didn’t question that—they just did it. Both my parents went to the University of Colorado, and my father was a founding member of the Jewish fraternity ZBT. Their college life spilled over into their lives as a young married couple, and it was natural to raise their family with commitments to the Jewish community.
I understand that your very first encounter with the Federation happened when you were a teenager?
When I was 16 and my brother was 15, we got to go on the very first Israel Study Tour. Now, it’s the Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour (IST), but back then I’m not even sure the trip had an official name. It was not long after the Six-Day War in 1967. We belonged to Temple Emanuel, and I remember Rabbi Steven Foster saying, “We can’t be afraid to go.” My children, Bret, Laura, and Caley have also gone on IST. L’dor V’dor, we lay the groundwork for the continuity of our Jewish people. Since then, I have been to Israel 23 times. My husband and I have led major gift missions to Israel, and I have also gone with Women’s Philanthropy and with Momentum Journey of Growth.
Like your parents, you went to CU Boulder. Did you dive into Denver’s Jewish world after graduating?
I headed to New York for two years to work at Bonwit Teller. After two years of working 60-hour weeks and eating noodles, I came back to Denver. I went to work at Fashion Bar and worked my way up to be a district manager and buyer. In high school, I worked at The Stage, a subdivision of Fashion Bar, and my Jewish customers would bring their daughters to me and say, “Please help me dress them!” I love all those girls to this day.
My friend Barbara Mahar asked me to join her in opening her own store, “Barbara & Company.” I worked for them for 25 years as an image consultant and visual merchandiser. When I became involved with Temple Emanuel and Sisterhood of Emanuel, someone asked me to do a fashion show fundraiser. That was the first of many, many fashion shows we did to raise money. I had the privilege of integrating my professional life with my volunteer work and to make a difference for so many organizations while doing something I love.
How did you initially become involved in what was then called the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado?
I think someone invited me to attend an event. It was probably in the late 1980s or around 1990, and it’s very likely it was another mother that I had met at Temple Emanuel. Having my children at Temple Emanuel preschool helped me form a gaggle of committed Jewish friends. I have always loved being in the company of interesting women. At temple, I found a community of preschool moms, sisterhood women, women leaders, and volunteers. These women showed me how to connect community and passion. Many of them became lifelong friends.
Do you remember your first Federation event?
I don’t remember the event specifically, but I do know that I showed up for anything that involved Israel and Zionism. I wanted to help in any way possible. I do remember making my first gift—It was $136. I learned that you could receive a Pomegranate Pin with an annual donation of $1,800. My husband and I worked and sacrificed for me to be able to acquire that Pomegranate Pin, but I have to be honest. Initially, I was not motivated by any desire to save the Jewish people. I just wanted that Pin! But once I had it, everything changed for me. Something in my DNA was activated. Supporting the Jewish people through the Federation became serious business for me.
Debra with her daughter, Laura Knaster
Do you have a favorite memory from those early years in Federation?
Remember those girls I helped dress when I was working at Fashion Bar in high school? Well, the mothers of those girls became my mentors at Federation. I put them on a pedestal. I wanted to be around them and learn from them. These mentors shepherded me through the Federation world. I have followed in the footsteps of my dearest friends and soulmates. I would be remiss if I did not mention the professionals that I have had the privilege of working with along the way—the professionals who give tirelessly to the lay leaders so that they can bring their best selves to the table. It is a partnership that I can truly call magical and has been a secret sauce to my success.
Through the years, you became increasingly involved with Federation, as a Lion, as a Co-Chair of CHOICES, as Volunteer of the Year, on the Board, as the Campaign Chair, as the Colorado Co-Chair for the General Assembly, and as the Golda Award Recipient. Over time, did you develop a philosophy behind your involvement?
I firmly believe that you do not get the perks without doing the work. For me, the perks were being part of the Jewish community, having Jewish friends, and being able to say yes to becoming a leader. You don’t get that by being a bystander or by just adding more zeros to your check. You get it by doing the work.
I got to work side by side with philanthropists, and because of those relationships with men and with women, I was able to raise countless dollars for the Jewish world, including organizations outside JEWISHcolorado like JNF and ADL. When people came to me for help, I always said yes.
You will be honored with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the International Lion of Judah Conference. What has it meant to you to be a Lion of Judah?
The minute that I got the Pomegranate Pin, I was determined to get the Lion Pin. By the early 2000s, my husband and I had the funds to make it happen. To me, the Pin is a symbol in the Federation world and in the world of Women’s Philanthropy. It says, “Hineni, I am here, I have contributed enough in time, talent, and treasure to proudly wear a Lion Pin.”
To quote Rabbi Irwin Kula in his book of Jewish Sacred Practices. “…the pin speaks from a much deeper place towards the healing of the world. When we put on any sign of our deep commitments, we are not just wearing jewelry or clothes: we are making a powerful declaration.”
I like to see women wearing their Pins everywhere—to the grocery store! I have mentored new Lions. Susan Kramer and I revamped the endowment program at JEWISHcolorado to grow our Lion of Judah endowment. My daughter has made a commitment to the Jewish community by sending her children to Jewish day schools and by joining the Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet along with her husband. They did all this without me saying a word. Our family is picking up the mantle for the next generation.
Before we finish talking, I have to ask about those 23 trips to Israel. Why have you returned so often?
I believe it is the most spectacular country in the world. Of late, people have been focused on the politics in Israel. For me, Israel is not about the politics. It’s the culture, the sense of continuity, the ability of a Jewish person to live without being called names like I was called in junior high and high school. And don’t forget the food OR the shopping. It’s home. It’s our identity. I am a proud Jewish woman. Every minute I spend in Israel reinforces my beliefs and fills my heart with joy.
You have seen the Federation go through much evolution through the decades.
For so many years, the Federation was such a big part of my identity and central in the life of my family. It was like a paved road I could follow, and then there were side roads that branched off into new directions, taking me deeper into the Jewish community. I still remember a speech I made to women at CHOICES. I looked out at the crowd of 1,300 women and said, “You are my foot soldiers in pumps and pearls.” That was an unforgettable moment. It’s hard, but you must hand control over to young leaders who take your place—even if they are not wearing pumps and pearls. The future is now in their hands.