Partners

MazelTot provides parents-to-be and families with children under age five with information and three big discounts on hundreds of activities offered by dozens of organizations in greater Denver and Boulder. It’s a new way for young families to connect Jewishly.  For information on how to use MazelTot for JYW programs, click here

What do parents say about MazelTot?

• As a non-Jew married to someone who is "not very Jewish," we really need the help in creating a Jewish home. Despite the fact that I have been on the lookout for classes, programs and preschools to help us make a Jewish life, there was a host of options on the website that I had no idea existed. - Elizabeth
• mazeltot.org is PHENOMENAL!! SO comprehensive! A priceless resource dedicated to those of us with children five and under. - Robyn

What are the benefits of MazelTot?

MazelTot registrants can use up to 3 big discounts for a variety of classes, events and celebrations at Jewish organizations. In addition, families can sign up to receive a free PJ Library children’s book each month for 24 months. This offer is limited to the first 500 families who sign up and is only for families who are brand new to PJ Library and have not subscribed before.

There are 6 different kinds of programs that families can use MazelTot discounts for. Each MazelTot registrant family can redeem 3 big discounts from any of these categories:

Camps: Try out a camp for preschoolers for free. A MazelTot discount covers 100% of tuition for one camper under age five, up to a maximum of $250.
Classes: Take a free class. A MazelTot discount covers 100% of class tuition for a child under age five with or without their parent(s), up to a maximum of $100.
Independent Celebrations: Have a Jewish educator, rabbi or ritual leader create a unique Jewish experience for your family. A MazelTot discount covers 100% of the cost, up to a maximum of $250.
Events: Get free tickets for your family to attend an event. A MazelTot discount covers 100% of ticket costs for your immediate family, up to a maximum of $100.
Preschool: Receive one free month of preschool tuition, applied over 9 or 12 months. A MazelTot discount covers one free month of tuition for one student, up to a maximum of $500. This discount can only be used by families new to Jewish preschool in Greater Denver and Boulder.
Retreats: Attend a family retreat for free. A MazelTot discount covers the cost of your immediate family’s retreat registration, up to a maximum of $250.

Who created MazelTot?

MazelTot is a nondenominational, no-obligation initiative of Rose Community Foundation in collaboration with 32 organizations and congregations. The Foundation supports efforts to create and sustain a vibrant Jewish community, in part by funding new ideas that connect Jews to Jewish life and to each other. MazelTot was created in 2009 to meet these goals and to encourage young families to try new Jewish experiences. Alissa and Jeff Merage, 18 Pomegranates and Oreg Foundation also provide support for MazelTot.

Contact: Perri Klein, MazelTot Family Networker, 303.316.6324, perri@mazeltot.org
http://www.mazeltot.org

Moving Traditions helps women and men, boys and girls engage more deeply with Judaism. Gender serves as the framework for our activities because it shapes the way our culture defines who we are and can become. Gender has been – and continues to be – critical to Jewish text, spiritual practice, education and participation. For Moving Traditions, gender provides a vehicle for expanding Judaism’s ability to help each individual experience his or her full humanity.

The Moving Traditions logo incorporates the Hebrew word masorot, or “traditions.” Every generation reshapes Jewish tradition – and in that way, it remains relevant. Our contemporary awareness of gender and diversity calls us to move tradition forward, while remaining true to Judaism’s profoundly moving traditions.

Programs include:

Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing! – building the self-esteem, leadership skills, and Jewish identity for thousands of teenage girls of all backgrounds across North America.  See more information on JYW's Rosh Hodesh program here

Campaign for Jewish Boys – an action-research campaign to help educators understand and inspire the Jewish identity of teenage boys by helping them explore what it means to become a man.

Bat Mitzvah Firsts – exploring the introduction and evolution of the bat mitzvah to understand how innovation is made in Jewish life.

Our programs, publications, and on-line materials are produced at the intersection of gender and Judaism. Moving Traditions’ work:

• reflects the changes and opportunities for women and men in recent generations.
• respects the diversity of Jewish people and practices.
• promotes meaningful, transformative Jewish experiences and vibrant individual, family, and community relations.

We believe that Judaism can be a powerful resource: Judaism affirms our humanity, inspires connection to each other and the greater world, and moves us to reflect on and make moral choices.

Moving Traditions pursues the following Strategies:

• Research aspects of Jewish life that have changed as the lives of Jews in America have changed.
• Create and distribute innovative Jewish programs and materials based on our research to fill the gaps and meet the needs of today’s Jews.
• Educate the public and Jewish leaders about Judaism and gender.

Contact: (215) 887-4511, info@movingtraditions.org

http://www.movingtraditions.org/

Stepping Stones is a non-profit organization that serves the Denver/Boulder area and is dedicated to welcoming, supporting and educating unaffiliated interfaith couples and families.

• An opportunity to celebrate, learn, and experience Judaism together in a non-threatening, non-judgemental environment.
• Connections to other families to explore the challenges and blessings of being in an interfaith family.
• Increased confidence and comfort in Jewish settings.

Stepping Stones’ vision is to provide an enriching opportunity for the interfaith community to explore Jewish life and points of entry and connection for individuals and families to the greater Jewish communities.

Dedicated to welcoming interfaith families for over 25 years, Stepping Stones allows families to explore Jewish living in fun and meaningful ways. Through experiential learning and holiday celebrations, Stepping Stones families make lifelong friends with other young families, creating community for themselves and their children. Stepping Stones includes adult study and children’s activities and we present Judaism in a rich spectrum incorporating music, cooking, and dancing with history, theology, and ritual.

Through facilitated adult discussions, we offer insight for parents on how to navigate some of the challenges of intermarried life as well as celebrate the joys of blending families of different backgrounds. We welcome single parent families, GLBT families, and all families in which one parent is Jewish.

Stepping Stones is committed to helping the Jewish world be open and accepting of all Jews; whether they are single-parents, interfaith, unaffiliated and Jewish, Jews of color, a part of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community, of a liberal, conservative or orthodox background.

Contact: Denver: Phyllis Adler, Executive Director, 303-388-1198, adler@steppingstonesfamily.com
Boulder: Deb Dusansky, Boulder Program Director, 720-628-6648, dusansky@steppingstonesfamily.com

http://www.steppingstonesfamily.com/

NEXT: A Division of the Birthright Israel Foundation inspires all Taglit-Birthright Israel trip participants and their peers to expand their connections to the land and people of Israel, to deepen their personal commitments to Jewish life, and to find or form a community where Jewish responsibility, learning, and celebration thrive.

Welcome to Birthright Israel NEXT Colorado. Join us in giving back to our beautiful community by volunteering, savor a delicious Shabbat meal with us, get out in nature, rise into a yoga pose, breathe...and stay connected. Create community. Share with others. Learn. Love. Grow together.

Contact: National: 646-833-1300, alumni@birthrightisraelnext.org
Colorado: Heather Wolfson, heather.wolfson@birthrightisraelnext.org
http://colorado.birthrightisrael.com/

The HUB of the local Jewish Scene for ages 21-45

If you enjoy spending time with great people at happy hours, dining out, fitness, cultural events or educational programs, you've come to the right place. Whether you are new to Denver, or just looking to broaden your group of Jewish friends and resources, GesherCity is the perfect inlet to the Jewish Community.

Based on the idea of Cluster groups, GesherCity acts to instantly connect you with other like-minded young Jewish individuals as well as local organizations around town. GesherCity offers a comprehensive calendar of events for everything going on around Denver & Boulder.

Contact: Lisa Walko, lwalko@ajfcolorado.org
http://www.geshercity.org/web/denver

Keshet is a national grassroots organization that works for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Jews in Jewish life. Led and supported by LGBT Jews and straight allies, Keshet offers resources, trainings, and technical assistance to create inclusive Jewish communities nationwide. In July 2010, Jewish Mosaic merged with Keshet. Now with offices in Boston, Denver, and the Bay Area, Keshet has an even more robust capacity to create change in the Jewish community and meet the growing needs of LGBT Jews around the country.

Keshet is the only organization in the country that works for LGBT inclusion in all facets of Jewish life – synagogues, Hebrew schools, day schools, youth groups, summer camps, social service organizations, and other communal agencies. Through training, community organizing, and resource development, Keshet partners with clergy, educators, and volunteers to equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to be effective agents of change.

Contact: Rafi Daugherty, 303.691.3562, rafi@keshetonline.org
http://www.keshetonline.org

Do Not Stand Idly By: A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives

http://jewishcommunitypledge.org/

Ekar Farm and Community Gardens is a communal urban farm, inspired by Jewish values. We work to build community, provide experiential and environmental education, and grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, expanding access to those in need.

Founded in 2010, Ekar is situated on a 5-acre plot located on the campus of Denver Academy of Torah, situated in between Crestmoor, Hilltop and Lowry neighborhoods. We are easily accessible by public transportation, creating opportunities for many groups and individuals to experience hands-on programming at the farm.

EKAR is Denver's first urban Jewish communal farm and garden. Our mission: Grow. Learn. Sustain. Enjoy. Repeat:

Grow a community garden with plots for all. Grow a communal farm.

Learn Jewish values, environmental values, and wisdom knowledge.

Sustain economically. Sustain the land and the water. Compost. Sustain by sharing bounty with the JFS Food Pantry.

Enjoy the harvest, the cycles of the season, the celebration of the Jewish year.

Contact: grow@ekarfarm.org

http://www.ekarfarm.org

Hazon creates healthy and sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond.

Hazon is America's largest Jewish environmental group. We create healthy and sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond. We do that in three ways. First, through transformative experiences for individuals and communities like our New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, California Ride, Israel Ride, our Food Conferences, and Hazon's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network of over 40 sites in the US, Canada and Israel. Second, through thought leadership in the fields of Jewish and environmental knowledge. We provide education resources such as our Food Guide, text studies and the Jewish Food Education Network. Third, through support of the Jewish environmental movement in North America and Israel.

Contact: National: info@hazon.org, 212-644-2332
Colorado: Becky O'Brien, Director, Community Engagement, 303-886-5865, becky@hazon.org
Juliet Glaser, Director, Community Education, 303-886-4894, Juliet.Glaser@Hazon.org

http://www.hazon.org

Limmud, which means “learning” in Hebrew, connects Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences for an exciting weekend of Jewish learning and joy. Limmud Colorado is pluralistic and thrives on the diversity of our Jewish world. Limmud Colorado is also dynamic and truly community-driven, as the annual conference and the events in between are designed, developed, and delivered by volunteers. This means YOU have the opportunity to help build our conference and shape our Jewish future.

We thrive on a diverse community of Jews and their families gather as learners and as teachers to explore and connect. It's like camp--but for adults, families, and teens.

At Limmud Colorado, you will find a weekend with many amazing opportunities to connect Jewishly! Art, worship, culture, study, film, the outdoors, music, dance, humor, texts, history, networking, and fun.

Limmud Colorado… part conference, part festival, and all worthwhile.

At Limmud Colorado, you will...

• Find art, worship, culture, study
• Explore film, the outdoors, texts
• Discover history, music, dance, humor
• Create community, networks, and memories to last a lifetime!

You will find all this at Limmud Colorado... now find yourself and your family at Limmud Colorado!

What makes Limmud Colorado unique?

Limmud Colorado is truly community-driven, as the annual conference and the events in between are designed, developed, and delivered by volunteers. This means YOU have the opportunity to help build our conference and shape our Jewish future.

Based on the worldwide Limmud movement that was born nearly 30 years ago in Great Britain, Colorado embraces the Limmud experience and is now connected to Limmud communities around the world. Connect to these sister sites on 4 continents!

Contact: 303-908-2785, http://www.limmudcolorado.org/about/contact-limmud

http://www.limmudcolorado.org/

Rose Community Foundation supports efforts to improve the quality of life throughout the Greater Denver community through its endowed grantmaking programs, and by advising and assisting donors who wish to make thoughtful charitable investments to better the community.

Since its formation in 1995 with the proceeds from the sale of Rose Medical Center, Rose Community Foundation has granted more than $153 million, primarily to organizations and institutions in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Douglas and Jefferson Counties. The Foundation also makes grants to statewide organizations and initiatives when these efforts benefit people living in the seven-county metropolitan area.

Rose Community Foundation is governed by a 17-member board of trustees, all local community leaders who serve without compensation. The Foundation focuses its resources in five program areas: Aging, Child and Family Development, Education, Health, and Jewish Life. Each program area is structured as a Center of Excellence, with grantmaking committees composed of trustees and knowledgeable community leaders staffed by program officers with specialized professional training and experience. Altogether, nearly 60 volunteer community leaders and 22 staff conduct the business of the foundation.

In addition, Rose Community Foundation works to increase community philanthropy through Rose Philanthropic Services. The Foundation is able to provide stewardship and expertise to help donors make strategic philanthropic decisions and achieve the most meaningful experience from their charitable activities.

Why choose Rose Philanthropic Services?

Philanthropy is about giving with intention

All giving is good. But giving with intention is a defining characteristic of philanthropy. Rose Philanthropic Services gives our donors an edge in their giving - the extra measure of thoughtfulness, creativity and knowledge that can make a lasting difference.

From clarifying a philanthropic vision, to advisory services for family foundations, to reporting on the results a grant produced, we enable people to give with intention—to build on their charitable values, and to see themselves as agents of community change.

Rose Philanthropic Services Values:

• Assure the highest quality services to donors
• Exercise the highest standards of stewardship
• Connect donors to priorities they care about and to community needs
• Bring together people, resources and vision through funding collaboratives and learning opportunities
• Make charitable giving easy, flexible and effective - take out the work, leave the joy

Contact: 303.398.7400, staff@rcfdenver.org

http://rcfdenver.org/

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) is committed to providing vital community resources to anyone facing a life challenge, no matter which leg of life's journey they are traveling. Staffed by caring and compassionate professionals and assisted by dedicated volunteers, JFS is committed to being one of metro Denver's premier human services agencies.

Jewish Family Service of Colorado is a community agency serving metro Denver that provides professional services, resources and referrals in the areas of mental health counseling, adult care management and in-home support services for the elderly, emotionally vulnerable, people with disabilities, and refugees, regardless of faith or economic status. JFS, a nonprofit and nonsectarian human service agency, is one of the oldest organizations in Colorado and impacts 23,000 people each year.

Contact: (303) 597-5000, jfs@jewishfamilyservice.org

http://www.jewishfamilyservice.org

The Mizel Museum is a portal to the contemporary Jewish experience. Rooted in Jewish values, the Museum’s exhibits, events and educational programs inspire visitors of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate diversity and honor the journeys of all people. We employ a full spectrum of expression, including fine art, film, literature and drama, to offer interactive and memorable experiences that promote community and the dynamic ways that each of our journeys interweave.

The museum’s new permanent exhibit, 4,000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, which opened in February 2011, started a new era for the 30-year-old Denver museum by reshaping and reinvigorating the museum’s image, putting it on Denver’s map of cultural attractions and generating national awareness. 4,000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks is an interactive journey through art, artifacts and digital media that narrates and celebrates Jewish life, culture and history. The overarching theme is tikkun olam, which in Hebrew means “repair the world.” Based on this theme, the museum’s programs and events encourage the discovery of paths that tie our world together through respect and understanding.

Babi Yar Park is a project of the Mizel Museum that will grow in scope and importance in 2012. Located at Havana and Yale in southeast Denver, the park is an open-air memorial to those lost in the Ukraine and elsewhere during the Holocaust. The 27-acre space is a refuge for reflection, and a place where survivors of crimes against humanity can gather and honor victims of terror or genocide. This year, steel from the World Trade Center will become part of the park's memorial landscape. Educational guided tours are offered throughout the week for classes and groups.

Contact: 303-394-9993

http://www.mizelmuseum.org

The mission of the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado is to help build and sustain Jewish life in Colorado, Israel, and around the world.

Contact: 303.321.3399, Federation@AJFColorado.org

http://www.ajfcolorado.org/

B'nai Havurah is an inclusive, participatory Jewish Reconstructionist community (Kehillah) that is passionately committed to experiencing Judaism by infusing tradition with renewed meaning in a contemporary American context. We do this through study (Torah), worship and joyous practice (Avodah), social justice (Tikun Olam), acts of kindness (Gemilut Hasidim), and connection with the Jewish People (Am Yisrael).

We are affiliated with the Reconstructionist movement www.jrf.org , which is committed to the renewal of American Jewish life. Reconstructionists define Judaism as an evolving religious civilization that encompasses history, literature, art, music, land, and language. We achieve this through study, worship and joyous practice, social justice, acts of kindness, and connection with the Jewish people. We are egalitarian and participatory community, open to a variety of perspectives and forms of religious expression.

Our Shabbat service are open to the public and free.

Contact: 303-388-4441, membership@bnaihavurah.org

http://www.bnaihavurah.org/

Jewish Renewal Community of Boulder - Nevei Kodesh (Oasis of Holiness) is a warm and welcoming spiritual community for those seeking new ways of experiencing Judaism. Established in 1993, we are an extended family of people from diverse backgrounds, including interfaith and multi-cultural families, singles, seniors, Jews by choice, LGBTQ people, and participants in other spiritual traditions. We share times of joy and pain together, supporting one another in all seasons of our lives. While our members have varied levels of Jewish knowledge and observance, we all share a common desire to enrich our lives through Jewish spiritual practice. Our spiritual leaders are Rabbi Tirzah Firestone and Rabbi Aviva Bass. We also have a variety of talented lay leaders who assist with services, lifecycle ritual and bikkur cholim.

We invite you to participate in our vibrant and meaningful classes, prayer services, and social gatherings. All of these will help you learn about Judaism and add depth to your life, as well as enrich the lives of those you love. At Nevei Kodesh, you will have a chance to engage in tikkun olam (communal social action), working together to serve vital causes within and beyond Boulder. You can join or help form small fellowship groups (havurot) that engage in social and spiritual activities in intimate settings. Your children will enjoy participating in creative, fun, educational programs where they will make new friends and develop their Jewish knowledge and identity. We place strong value on creativity, and encourage artists within the community in creating sacred objects, support a talented team of musicians and our own theater group, the Kosher Hams. Boulder, Colorado is nestled at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains, allowing opportunities for worship in spaces that are both beautiful and sacred.

Nevei Kodesh (Jewish Renewal Community of Boulder) is a member of ALEPH (Alliance for Jewish Renewal). We are inspired by the founder of Jewish renewal, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.

Contact: 303-443-4567, info@neveikodesh.org
http://www.neveikodesh.org