The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) will host its annual leadership luncheon on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Denver Art Museum. Registration opens at 11:00 AM, and the program begins at 12:00 PM.
This year, the JCRC will honor David Farahi with the Community Leadership Award for modeling the very best of community leadership—bringing people together across difference, investing generously in people and institutions, and strengthening civic life through deep, sustained relationships. His strategic approach to advocacy, coalition-building, and public engagement has made our community safer, more connected, and more effective.
Farahi is a Colorado-based private investor and veteran of the hospitality and gaming industries. He is deeply engaged in community and civic life, including support for Israel and strengthening Jewish communal resilience. Farahi leads U.S. fundraising for Derech Eretz, a pre-army academy that changes the life trajectory of Israeli youth from the country’s socioeconomic periphery and is a founding member of the Israel Economic Forum. He also serves as an adjunct professor of hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver and as a Trustee of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Previously, he served on the boards of Colorado Concern, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, and JEWISHcolorado, and with the JCRC, including chairing its 2015 Public Officials Mission.
“As the central community and governmental relations agency of the organized Jewish community in Colorado, the JCRC brings people together to advocate for shared priorities and strengthen Colorado’s civic culture,” said Brandon Rattiner, JCRC Senior Director. “We are excited to celebrate our accomplishments and honor David Farahi for his leadership.”
A program of JEWISHcolorado, the JCRC is comprised of 45 member organizations and 15 at-large members representing diverse parts of our community. JCRC advocates, educates, mobilizes action, and builds relationships to ensure that the Jewish community and our neighbors can thrive.
Tickets are $75 per person, with a $50 Under 40 Professional price, and table sponsorships begin at $1,800. Proceeds benefit the JCRC and its vital work in the community. Details and registration: events.idonate.com/2026jcrcluncheon
More information and sponsorship packages are available by contacting jcrc@jewishcolorado.org.
JCRC gives special thanks to the event sponsors (as of 3.2.26):
United Airlines, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, David & Laura Merage Foundation, MDC Richmond American Foundation, Zeff Kesher Foundation, Jonathan Perlmutter, David Farahi, Jim Jacobson & Andrea Kaufmann, Josh Widoff