The substance of the General Assembly (the GA) celebrates a plethora of Jewish themes and passions a day of service, US and Israel, Israel activism on campus, engaging youth and aging boomers, philanthropy, and creating entry points into Jewish life. Numerous seminars, sessions, speeches and talks will explore, enlighten and enthuse, and maybe also frustrate, upset or even anger.
But the GA is also about subtext.
Sometimes the subtext is Jewish continuity. Sometimes it is Iran or who is a Jew or a presidential candidates bonafides on Israel but this year the subtext, or at least a subtext, is all about Denver.
Of course, every city that hosts the GA touts its positives, and we are no different. Yet, when all is said and done, Denver, not the biggest city in the country, hosted the GA just 17 years ago, and already its back. The national federation leaders know a good thing when they see it. Denver is unique in many areas. Just look around.
Denver has evolved from a cowboy town of lynchings and KKK cross burnings to a disciplined center of smart growth, magical mountain getaways, tenacious vision and thin waistlines.
The pioneer spirit lured Jews from Russia, Hungary, Poland and other ports of oppression to a wild land where they set the tone not only for the Jewish community but for the larger community. The original West Side Jewish community may have been like a ghetto, but from this tight community came countless leaders who shaped all of Denver in law, media, business, medicine and politics.
Jewish Denver can be traced to the late1800s and early 1900s, when National Jewish Hospital and the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society opened their doors to tubercular Jews from all over the country. Many died, but those who survived built an expansive Jewish community in the West.
Colorados Rocky Mountains, its limitless plains and undiscovered jewels, are well known. Experiencing their beauty is a rare gift we unwrap every day, each in our own way.
This week, youre not in Kansas anymore or New York or Boston or Florida. Denver Jews are a varied quilt of characters and backgrounds, including many emigrants from . . . Kansas, New York, Boston and Florida!
We are thankful they bring their stories to us and now to you.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
