Friday, March 29, 2024 -
Print Edition

Kudos: Four free Jews who personify Passover

Clockwise, top left: Leslie K. Sidell, Jonathan Lev, Ruth Cohen, Lottie Sobel

PASSOVER EDITION 
SECTION C PAGE 24

Every year the IJN salutes people — known or obscure — who bring freedom into our lives. It is alway time to say ‘thank you,’ but Passover, with its eternal message of gratitude to G-d for our freedom, seems an especially appropriate moment.

Lottie Soble: Heimish

There are some people that are easy to love. It’s as if they carry something eternally warm in their hearts. Lottie Soble is one of those people. Quiet, gracious, modest and rarely without a smile, Lottie effortlessly removes the chill that settles in our own hearts. Even if she’s never met you before, you leave her like a dear friend — and hope you’ll see each other again soon.

Contemporaries of Lottie who grew up with her on the West Side vividly remember her parents Velvel and Raizel Heller calling out “Chana Zlata!” when it was time for their little girl to come home. Somehow Lottie brings the West Side alive — the memories, dreams, aromas, traditions.

Lottie worked in the JCC accounting department for 10 years and was the mashgiach at Pete’s Pizza. Today she’s the office manager at EDOS and at Rose Hill Cemetery. What may sound contradictory actually resonates with life’s totality. Lottie and Jerry have four children and nine grandchildren — but she doesn’t look like a grandmother. They say happiness keeps you ageless. Lottie must be very happy.

No doubt Lottie has helped countless people in our community in her quiet way. She obviously prefers the background, yet she can take transport an entire generation of Westsiders back 40 years with two words. Chana Zlata, it’s so easy to love you.

Ruth Cohen: Shalom

If you don’t belong to Temple Sinai, you might not know Ruth Cohen. For 12 years, the composed, compassionate and efficient executive director of Temple Sinai has accomplished miracles large and small. Her sparkling personality alone can sweeten your day like a spring blossom. Ruth recently retired to pursue new challenges. But before we wish her well, we want to share this jewel with the larger community.

Ruth became Sinai’s executive director in 2000. Always accessible despite her hectic duties, she willingly listened to a financially stressed congregant for as long as it took to find gentle solutions. She never made you feel bad, and always lifted you up.

Ruth was also technologically fluent and literally shoved Sinai into the digital age. She introduced up-to-date, cost-efficient software to streamline once burdensome procedures for the staff. Some of us wondered whether wings sprouted under her long hair.

Amy Cohn Becker has assumed the majority of Ruth’s duties now. Sinai is in good hands. But members miss seeing Ruth rush inside the front doors on Shabbat mornings, often accompanied by her beautiful family.

Shalom means hello, goodbye, and peace. To Ruth Cohen, we say all three — but please don’t let too much time pass between hellos. We’re saving you a seat.

Leslie K. Sidell: Volunteer

Leslie Kaufmann Sidell doesn’t like to sit still. In fact, she’s a whirling organizational dervish. Although her CV runneth over, it lacks the self-promoting instinct. So why does Leslie serve on a literal cornucopia of community boards, often as president or chair? Either she enjoys the leftover snacks and long hours or she loves being of service. We have no doubt it’s the latter.

This fourth-generation Coloradan has an MBA from DU’s Daniels School of Business. She could have climbed the golden ladder to CEO heaven. Instead she chose to become the consummate volunteer. No task is too daunting or insignificant.

Listing all her accomplishments would fill pages. Here is the condensed version: co-chair, 2012 International Lion of Judah Conference; member, National Women’s Philanthropy board; immediate past board chair, CAJE; boards and committees, Denver Jewish Day School; graduate, Wexner Heritage Foundation and Melton Mini-School.

Leslie and her husband Mark have two teenage daughters; their family dances to the rhythm of ceaseless activity. No, Leslie Sidell won’t stop moving as long as her community needs her — probably indefinitely.

You didn’t have to answer when we called. But we are so grateful you said yes.

Jonathan Lev: Leader

When Jonathan Lev became executive director of the Boulder JCC in 2010, plans for the center’s $18 million expansion seemed like an impossible dream. The capital campaign kicked off in 2009, a year after the Great Recession hit. But Lev is a dreamcatcher. Inspired by his tenacity, confidence and boundless energy, Boulder Jewry raised the $18 million pre-construction goal in December, 2012.

Lev is man of few words. When he speaks, however, Jewish Boulder responds with open hearts and checkbooks. Even the kids have launched their own campaign. Lev is leading an entire community — no small feat, especially now. But Lev is an exceptional leader.

From childhood to the present, Lev has dedicated himself to Jewish education, camping, identity and community building. These four principles function like mantras, shooting onward and upward with the power of a meteor in the sky.

While some other Jewish communal institutions in the US threaten to crumble, Lev’s charisma, vision and commitment soar like a skyscraper in the desert. Boulder Jews, once stereotyped as indifferent to institutional models, seem forever changed.

Although Jonathan Lev would refuse to take the credit, the future of Boulder Jewry is surely in his debt. Jewish communities and organizations everywhere could learn a great deal from Jonathan Lev.

Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News




Leave a Reply