Loretta Cawelti first came to our attention in the early 1980s when she was president of Temple Sinai’s Sisterhood. We were struck with her down-to-earth friendliness and efficiency.
Obviously, we weren’t the only ones who noticed. By the end of the 1980s Loretta was tapped to be Temple Sinai’s administrator, followed by a promotion to executive director. Running a rapidly growing temple was no easy task, especially around High Holiday time, with the “zillion” personal preferences and other details that needed attending to. But Loretta Cawelti was unflappable. She ran Temple Sinai with military precision —offset by her constant, genuine cheerfulness and by that signature chuckle of hers that always took the edge off any stressful situation.
After a decade or so as Temple Sinai’s executive director, it appeared that Loretta Cawelti had retired, But soon enough she reappeared on the synagogue scene at BMH-BJ. The synagogue, well aware of Loretta’s ability to get the job done, tapped her to see its religious school through a rough patch — which she did, and then some. She soon became that venerable congregation’s executive director, allowing another segment of Denver’s Jewish community to benefit from her organizational leadership and — no less important — her people skills.
After her time at BMH-BJ had run its course, and retirement again seemed imminent, imagine our pleasure when Loretta’s name showed up as one of the chairs of the annual Jewish National Fund-USA Breakfast for Israel. Loretta was back in the game — this time returning to her roots in the community as a volunteer. She brought that same efficiency and likability to her role as a volunteer fundraiser for JNF as she did as a professional for two large local synagogues before. Underneath that cheerful demeanor was a passionate, tenacious fundraiser. At her funeral, former JNF director Matt Leebove said:
“Loretta was the most reliable volunteer I had ever worked with when it came to making board calls. How she got people to pick up the phone, open up and share — this is a talent that professional fundraisers like myself can learn from and should envy.”
Loretta Cawelti was “low-tech.” Whether it was filling tables at community events or making sure the High Holidays arrangements went smoothly, she used her rolodex and hand-written lists, rather than spreadsheets and computer programs.
The Intermountain Jewish News staff also appreciated Loretta’s efficiency and good humor. She was always mindful and respectful of newspaper deadlines and the role the paper played in helping her succeed in publicizing the programs of the congregations she led.
A few years ago, Loretta really did retire due to declining health. Her absence from the community scene was definitely noticed. We missed the opportunities to work, shmoos and laugh with her, and now that she is truly gone from our midst, we take pleasure in recalling what a gift she was to Denver’s Jewish community. Loretta, we wish we could have said goodbye. You are sorely missed.
