JEWISHcolorado IMPACT
2025-2026 YEAR-IN-REVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS OF JEWISHCOLORADO’S IMPACT IN 2025-2026
Convene
The first Sunday in May, more than 1,500 people gathered at Great Lawn Park for Celebrate Israel. They were brought together by the theme “Lev Echad”—one heart. Together with Koolulam, the Israeli global mass-singing phenomenon, Coloradans sang, celebrated, and renewed their commitment to support Israel.
In October, more than 700 community members packed Wings Over the Rockies for MEN’S EVENT, made possible by Presenting Sponsors Mizel Family Foundations and Staenberg Family Foundation. The evening’s featured video honored Rob Kaufmann, Mark Sidell, and Stuart Zall for their vision in launching and leading JEWISHcolorado’s Real Estate & Construction Network.
CHOICES, co-chaired by Adriane Greenberg and Carly Schlafer, filled the Seawell Ballroom in January with more than 550 women for an evening of leadership, philanthropy, and community. The event honored Golda Award recipient Lisa Mintz and featured Emmy Award-winning journalist Juju Chang.
In March, the record-setting JCRC Luncheon brought the largest audience in the event’s history to reflect on resilience, shared strategy, and public advocacy. The event honored David Jacques Farahi with the 2026 Community Leadership Award, recognizing his leadership on behalf of Colorado’s Jewish community.
JEWISHcolorado’s Real Estate & Construction Network packed the Oxford Hotel in November for an evening with Walter Isenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. The event brought together connection, industry insight, and philanthropy, showing how professional networks can help build both a stronger Colorado and a stronger Jewish community.
In October, to honor the newly released Israeli hostages, JEWISHcolorado convened the community at “B’yachad, Together”. Hundreds gathered at Temple Emanuel to mark this moment with gratitude and grief while looking into the future with hope.
Connect
JEWISHcolorado’s next Senior Israeli Community Emissary, Yoav Maoz, arrived in August. He brings warmth, curiosity, and deep experience to his mission as he builds a bridge between Colorado’s Jewish community and Israel.
JEWISHcolorado’s five new Shinshinim traveled to Colorado for a year of service, connection, and community. Get to know the extraordinary young Israelis who bring their stories, talents, and love of Israel to schools, programs, and communities across the state.
JEWISHcolorado’s Newcomers Program continues to grow every month. The program has helped hundreds of people—new arrivals and longtime Coloradans alike—find Jewish friends, organizations, programs, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Through Courageous Leadership, JEWISHcolorado and the Shalom Hartman Institute created a rare space for nearly 80 community members to gather and learn. The program was led by Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute, who challenged participants to think deeply about safety, belonging, care, and the future of the Jewish community.
Chaired by Neil and Barbara Oberfeld, the Impact Mission to Israel in late November gave JEWISHcolorado lay leaders a firsthand understanding of life in Israel today. Participants saw how Colorado’s investments are helping Israelis rebuild, heal, and sustain life in Ramat HaNegev and beyond.
Each week, JEWISHcolorado’s five Shinshinim bring Israel to life across Colorado. Through their work at 23 sites and 20 Jewish Student Connection clubs, they make connections to Israel for young people from preschool through college.
Travelers on JEWISHcolorado’s YAD/Ramat HaNegev Exchange found meaning and a renewed connection to Israel. For one, the experience inspired his decision to make aliyah.
Two Jewish Explorers alumni returned as teachers helping a new generation of young children and families celebrate Jewish holidays, identity, and community.
Invest
Every year, the Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour (IST) invests in the future of the next generation. This year, IST shifted entirely to Europe. For 30 Colorado teens, the trip became an opportunity to encounter Jewish history, Holocaust memories, and Jewish community across six countries. Through four weeks of learning and travel, the teens returned home with pride in their Judaism and a stronger commitment to carrying Jewish life forward.
Jewish Student Connection (JSC) invests time and resources in building community and allyship in public high schools. This year, JSC gathered for a leadership conference focused on confidence, connection, and Jewish identity.
PJ Library Get Together Grants helped hundreds of families gather in homes, backyards, and living rooms across Colorado. These microgrants transformed casual get-togethers into meaningful Jewish moments.
Through SparkIL, Colorado young people supported Israeli small businesses. The program transformed philanthropy into direct, personal investment in Israel’s resilience and recovery.
A Staenberg Anything Grant™ can save the day. In countless ways, these grants invest in improvements that change lives. Just ask Kavod Senior Life.
In its third year, Jewish Days of Giving offered the opportunity for investments in Jewish nonprofits across Colorado. This year, the campaign raised awareness and more than $895,000 in philanthropic support for 53 Jewish organizations throughout the state.
With Donor Advised Funds, fundholders can target their investments to support the Jewish community. Learn how three JEWISHcolorado fundholders became more intentional and personal as they contributed to the causes they care about.
Protect
JEWISHcolorado’s partnership with Secure Community Network expanded the security shield protecting Jewish life in Colorado. This work included expert guidance, statewide trainings, law enforcement coordination, and support for nonprofit security grants.
Regional Security Advisors equipped community leaders with practical tools for preparing for and responding to protests at Jewish events. Their guidance helped organizations approach difficult moments with planning, awareness, and confidence.
To build a secure Jewish Colorado, the JCRC continued expanding beyond the Denver metro area. That growth makes the council’s advocacy, coalition-building, and communal representation truly statewide.
At Women’s Advocacy Day, JEWISHcolorado Women’s Philanthropy and the JCRC brought concerns about community safety to the Colorado Capitol. The day offered a powerful experience in hands-on advocacy training, legislative learning, and civic leadership.
With the addition of a new SCN Regional Security Advisor, JEWISHcolorado grew its capacity to help Jewish organizations assess risk, strengthen preparedness, and coordinate with law enforcement partners.
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Explore the Numbers Behind Our Impact
View supporting reports that highlight JEWISHcolorado’s FY26 program reach, revenue sources, and expense allocations for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.