On Tuesday, July 21, a sold-out crowd of 224 full-time and seasonal residents of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley gathered at the Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen Valley for the annual JEWISHcolorado Aspen Summer Event. The event was chaired by Julie Schlafer and presented by Julie and Steve Schlafer and the Schlafer Family Foundation with additional support from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
The evening provided an opportunity for those in attendance to connect with JEWISHcolorado staff and leaders—including Jco Board Chair Neil Oberfeld, Campaign Chair Adriane Greenberg, Women’s Philanthropy Chair Michelle Striker, National Women’s Philanthropy Members Tiffany Appel and Julie Schlafer, and JFNA Board of Trustees members Diana Zeff Anderson and Leslie Sidell.
Julie Schlafer
Julie Schlafer recently began her first term on the JEWISHcolorado Board of Directors as the Aspen Campaign Chair. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, a third-generation woman philanthropist, and a 16-year full-time resident of Aspen, Schlafer could speak at the Aspen Summer Event with conviction and credibility.
“The resurgence of unapologetic antisemitism is no longer whispered, ashamed or hidden,” Schlafer said. “History is clearing its throat to repeat itself, and we recognize the terrifying voice. We will not, we cannot allow this. I am loud, proud, strong and vulnerable all at the same time. But my fears don’t stop me, it’s obvious, because you’re here tonight, fear doesn’t stop you either.”
Schlafer spoke candidly about the unique culture of Aspen with its large population of second homeowners who may do their major giving at their home in another state. She did not mince words when she told her audience, “You like to say you live here; you need to give where you live.”
“Aspen feels safe because of the Jewish families who live here full time,” Schlafer went on. “You wouldn’t be so comfortable if this valley community didn’t exist. Other Federations do great work, but they don’t fund Aspen—only you can. This community depends on the economy of tourists and second homeowners. Giving here doesn’t replace giving elsewhere; it reflects the full scope of your Jewish life.”
Because of her long history of giving, her fundraising for the Jewish community in Aspen, and her self-deprecating sense of humor, people listened when Schlafer said, “Frankly, there’s always more mission than money.”
“We all want to be counted in the Torah, but it’s not just about numbers, it’s about responsibility and being present,” she said. “It means that your faith, courage, actions, and yes, your financial contributions are needed. It is easier to stay quiet, easier to hide, assume someone else will step forward and give, but Dayenu—enough. Stand up, show you care. We need you.”
A conversation between Jonah Platt and Rabbi Shira Stutman
You may be familiar with Jonah Platt from his role on Broadway in “Wicked” or in film with “Being the Ricardos” or from his articles published in major media outlets. Or you may know him as host of “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt,” America’s number one Jewish podcast. In his Aspen Event conversation with Rabbi Shira Stutman, senior rabbi of Aspen Jewish Congregation, Platt visited a number of topics having to do with Jewish identity, culture, and current events.
Rabbi Stutman asked Platt about the “celebratory” nature of his podcast despite the dark times that the Jewish community is enduring.
“One of the main reasons for the show is to simply model Jewish people having Jewish conversations in a way that was relatable,” Platt said. “It wasn’t necessarily based on serious religious or Talmudic conversations. It’s just people who are Jewish talking about Jewish issues, and so I’m willing to talk about anything with any kind of person with any background, any profession, from any side of the political spectrum.”
Platt is connected to a number of young Jewish Colorado leaders through JFNA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, the premier leadership training program of the Jewish philanthropic community. With Cabinet, he has traveled recently to Azerbaijan and Greece. His mother is a former chair of JFNA and both his aunt and grandparents were also active leaders in the Jewish community, but his career direction had been entertainment until October 7th.
“I felt compelled to be a translator for people who were confused by what they were seeing, to act as a filter and explain what was going on,” he said. “After October 7th, I was drawn to what was most important which is my Jewish community and the moment we are in. I have been following that instinct ever since.”
In his podcast and frequent public appearances, Platt has learned the importance of understanding his audience.
“One of the things I’ve learned the most in traveling around the country and doing my podcast is never overestimate what people know about Jews, which is almost nothing,” he told Rabbi Stutman. “We’ve been fighting anti-Jewish hate for centuries. It’s not going anywhere, but we have to educate people about it and push it back into the dark corners where it belongs. The more we can just say, ‘Hey, we’re Jews, we’re here, this is what we do, look how awesome we are that, to me, is actually the best way to counter antisemitism.’”
With that approach, Platt makes a point of trying to reach non-Jews with his podcast.
“When October 7th happened, we expected allies to be there and they weren’t,” he told his Aspen audience. “I think a lot of that is because the bridges have not been built that really need to be built. You can’t go knocking on someone’s door if you haven’t already built the road to get there.”
In her final question, Rabbi Stutman looked to the future: “If everyone here were to leave this room and do one thing differently, as a Jew, as part of the Jewish community, how would you want them to be different?” Platt began his answer by referencing the wearing of Star of David necklaces.
“Wear your necklace so people can see it and I’ll tell you why,” Platt said. “It teaches people that we exist and that we are around them, and we are their neighbors, and they need to live with us.
“It’s just so important now to wear it, not just for our own well-being and our own sense of pride, and your own sense of relief. It means that you’re living as your full authentic self.”
‘Your Federation in Colorado’
The program also featured Yehuda Setton, the CEO and Director General of The Jewish Agency, who spoke about the impact of American donations in Israel.
Renée Rockford, President and CEO of JEWISHcolorado, welcomed attendees with a reminder of JEWISHcolorado’s mission as “your Federation in Colorado.”
“We convene, connect, invest in, and protect Jewish life—here in the Roaring Fork Valley, across Colorado, and in Israel,” Rockford said. “When you’re here—and even when you are not here—we’re here for you.”
Rockford and Oberfeld reminded the crowd of the many ways JEWISHcolorado invests in communities throughout the state with the Safety & Security Initiative, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), and programming like PJ Library and camp scholarships.
“We are the Jewish 911, just as your local Federations are,” Rockford said. “When a crisis hits, we respond, raising tens of millions of dollars for those in immediate need. Whether you’re here for a week, a month, or call Aspen home, know this: your Federation is working on your and your family’s behalf—every single day.”