October 20, 2022B’nai B’rith Colorado Celebrates 150 Years
As with many before me, i became involved inbnai brith because ofa family connection, but my connection wasmore than just anecdotal. From1947-1952, my grandfather andnamesake served as president ofbnai brith international, helpingprovide comfort, aid anddirection for millions of jews inthe immediate aftermath of theholocaust. Among his manynotable achievements, papafrank, as he is known to me, helped convince presidenttruman to recognize the state ofisrael, as recounted in an ijnstory, available atwww. Ijn. Com/papa-frank goldman-truman. His singularpurpose was to improve the livesof those in need jew andnon-jew alike and, as bnaibrith has always done, when hesaw suffering, he acted. Mygrandfathers selfless leadershipinspired me to pursue a life ofservice, attempting to fight fornoble causes and to help others, and i see bnai brith as thequintessential vehicle for carryingout that mission.
For 150 years, bnai brithcolorado has been committed toserving the populations(regardless of faith ordenomination) of colorado andbeyond. Founded on april 7,1872, bnai brith colorado wasestablished in the rockymountains to fill the needs ofjews as they explored andresettled the western frontier. Since that time, bnai brithcolorado has been a driving forcefor good, delivering directhumanitarian aid, fighting anti semitism and hatred, givingcomfort and companionship toseniors and the less-fortunate, organizing literacy initiatives andeducational programs on pertinentissues of the day, tackling hands on community service projects, and so much more.
Bnai brith colorado as itsparent organization hasdone since its inception has been the glue bindingcolorados diverse andsometimes discordant jewishcommunity. Bnai brith hassought to smooth divisionsamong us and to unite thecommon ties that bind ustogether. As a unifying force, bnai brith has always sprung toaction to address the urgentneeds of the day.
On a nationalscene, bnai brith launched theanti-defamation league (adl) tocombat the scourge of antisemitism and hatred and birthedhillel and bbyo to establish safeand welcoming communities foryounger generations. Locally, bnai brith colorado wasinstrumental in founding nationaljewish hospital to combatconsumption for recent jewishimmigrants, temple emanuel toserve reformed jews, denversfirst jewish community centerbefore helping to forge themodern jcc, and many otherwell-established coloradoinstitutions.
B’nai B’rith Colorado has faithfully served Colorado, the greater Rocky Mountain region, and beyond since 1872, continuously providing emergency relief, helping the less fortunate, and being a driving force for good. Now, more than ever, we call upon you to provide life-saving supplies to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, our membership, and the people we serve, we appreciate your thoughtful and heartfelt support.
July 14, 2020Governor Polis Signs Holocaust and Genocide Studies Bill
DENVER, CO — B’nai B’rith Colorado applauds Colorado lawmakers for enacting the Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Public Schools bill last week. On July 8, Governor Jared Polis signed into law HB20-1336, which was sponsored by Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Emily Sirota in the House and Steve Fenberg and Dennis Hisey in the Senate. House Majority Leader Alec Garnett also provided steadfast support throughout the entire process. The new law requires that all Colorado public high school students will be taught about the Holocaust, other genocides, and crimes against humanity as a requirement for graduation.
B’nai B’rith Colorado has been a devoted proponent of this legislation and our JCRC representative, Margo Rocklin Goldman, was invited to attend the Governor’s official signing ceremony as a key stakeholder. We commend Ms. Rocklin Goldman for her dedication, commitment, and community outreach to ensure the passage of this crucial piece of legislation.
“This new law signifies a crucial step toward combating anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred in whatever form it may rise,” stated Frank Goldman, President of B’nai B’rith Colorado. “By teaching future generations of young Coloradoans about these indelible stains upon human history, we will perhaps prevent such evils from repeating.” As Anne Frank wrote, “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” B’nai B’rith Colorado has served Colorado, the greater Rocky Mountain region, and beyond since 1872, continuously providing emergency relief and helping the less fortunate. We are currently focusing our efforts on a COVID-19 Relief Initiative to provide food and essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to those in need during these challenging times. Please visit https://bnaibrithcolorado.org/covid-19/ to learn more about how you can make a meaningful difference and be a driving force for good.
B’nai B’rith Colorado has faithfully served Colorado, the greater Rocky Mountain region, and beyond since 1872, continuously providing emergency relief, helping the less fortunate, and being a driving force for good. Now, more than ever, we call upon you to provide life-saving supplies to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, our membership, and the people we serve, we appreciate your thoughtful and heartfelt support.