Loretta Cawelti
Former director of Temple Sinai and BMH-BJ Loretta Cawelti passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 81. A service was held on December 7 at Temple Sinai, with interment at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Born in Denver on December 20, 1943, Mrs. Cawelti spent her early years in Denver, Topeka, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., and then at age 11 went to Rushkin High School in Raytown, Mo.
After attending Kansas City Junior College and Wichita University, Loretta married Berle Landow, a retail jeweler, in June, 1963.
In 1968, the family moved to Denver and joined Temple Sinai. The couple was among the congregation’s earliest members.
The couple divorced in 1975. Two years later, Loretta married Don Cawelti in Denver. They remained a couple until Mr. Cawelti passed away in May, 2013.
Mrs. Cawelti became a passionate volunteer at Temple Sinai, including her work as a religious school teacher. She became sisterhood vice president of fundraising, programming and membership, and became sisterhood president in 1982.
Named Temple Sinai Volunteer of the Year in 1985, Mrs. Cawelti became an administrator at Sinai in 1988, and was named executive director in 1990.
“One of the best decisions I ever made was asking Loretta to take over as executive director,” said Temple Sinai founding Rabbi Raymond Zwerin. “She was a blessing to the temple, and to me, the very best person for this complex job.
“Great bosses make things happen,” Zwerin said. “Great people make things happen when everyone’s dignity is assured and appreciation always given.”
A senior member of NATA (National Assn. of Temple Administrators) and member of Mountain Area Temple/Synagogue Administrators,
Mrs. Cawelti was on the community advisory board of Norwest Bank and active in JNF and the Butterfly Pavilion.
Prior to becoming BMH-BJ’s executive director, she was interim educational director from 2001-2002 and director of business and administration from 2005-2007 at the synagogue.
Regardless of her destination, she never refused an opportunity to eat ice cream, her family said.
“Loretta was unflappably positive and optimistic, even when her health was failing,” her family said.
Survivors are children Kalen (Peter Coster) Cawelti, Bill (Kate) Landow, Loren (Michelle) Landow and Jennifer (Hank Audet) Cawelti; sisters Patricia (Don) Coleman and Karen (Dwight) Cook; grandchildren Jack (Isobel) Cawelti, Grace Cawelti, Megan Lewis, Tyler Lewis, Taylor Landow, Morgan Landow, Isaac (Moose) Landow and Veronica Landow; great-grandson Sonny Cawelti; and in-laws Gene Landow and Betty Landow.
Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai’s Ilene Shiroff Memorial Fund, BMH-BJ or Alzheimer’s Assn., Colorado Chapter.
Eli Reshotko
Eli Reshotko, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, died December 6, 2025.
Mr. Reshotko was born Nov. 18, 1930 in the Bronx to recent Polish immigrants. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and Cooper Union College where he studied engineering. He also attended Herzliya Hebrew Teachers College and earned a teaching credential.
Mr Reshotko received a master’s from Cornell, attended Caltech on a Guggenheim fellowship and was on the engineering faculty at Case Western Reserve, where he chaired his department for 12 years and became the Kent H. Smith Professor of Engineering. Prior to attending Caltech he also worked for the precursor of NASA.
In 2016, he was inducted into the NASA Hall of Fame for his contributions in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. It was one of the many honors he received.
At 18, Reshotko met Adina Venit at Habonim Summer Camp. They married in 1953 and were a couple for 67 years, until her death in 2020.
Mr. Reshotko sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, acted in Yiddish theater, played tennis and water skied. He volunteered for the Cleveland Board of Jewish Education and Cleveland College of Jewish Studies.
Mr. Reshotko and his wife moved to Denver in 2003. He was active at B’nai Havurah.
Mr. Reshotko is survived by his children Deborah (Philip Hiester) Reshotko, Naomi (PB Schechter) Reshotko, and Miriam (Lee Gordon) Reshotko; grandchildren Sasha Reschechtko, Amit (Haley) Gordon, Yevanit Reschechtko, Nadav Gordon and Maia Gordon; and sister-in-law, Paula Reshotko.
Donations may be made to Hand in Hand, American Friends of the Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel.
Eleanore Warren
Denver native Eleanore “Ellie” Warren passed away on December 4, 2025, three days after celebrating her 93rd birthday. A service was held on December 8 at Temple Emanuel, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mrs. Warren was a second-generation Denver native. She grew up on the city’s West Side. She attended North High School. She met DU basketball star Daniel Warren, and they married after Mr. Warren’s college graduation.
The couple owned several local restaurants.
“Ellie was a trendsetter and worked in the restaurants at a time it was not vogue for women to work,” her family said.
Mr. Warren passed away in his 40s. Mrs. Warren met Keith Peetz, former owner of H.W. Moore Equipment Company; they shared each other’s company for 27 years until Mr. Peetz’s death.
Mrs. Warren’s (née Pasternack) family had deep connections and roots in the Denver Jewish community. Her father owned Pasternack’s Pawn shops. One of the shops still exists on East Colfax.
“Ellie kept pushing through and overcoming cancer and other health obstacles. She lived life with a smile and a positive attitude.
“Her zest for life was undeniable. She lived a long and wonderful life.”
Survivors are Mark (Olga) Warren, Wendy (Bruce) Glazer; grandchildren Steffan Warren, Daniel (Kimberly) Warren, Shayna Glazer, David Glazer, Polina Opolya-Warren and Nikolas Opolya-Warren; and great-grandchildren Hunter and Juniper.
Contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel and the ADL.
