Denver West Side Jewish Community
Encyclopedia
The West Side community is the oldest Jewish community in Denver, Colorado
. It is a traditional, Haredi community with its own eruv
. The community follows Ashkenazi Jewish traditions as set forth by the Litvak
Jewish tradition, that of Lithuanian Judaism.
Life in the community is centered around the Denver Community Kollel, Congregation Zera Avraham, Yeshiva Toras Chaim
, Lake Steam Baths, and a Bais Yaakov (girls' school
, Beth Jacob High School of Denver.
neighborhood of Denver was a predominantly Jewish area from the 1920s to the 1950s, as reflected in its residential population, a thriving business community that included kosher markets and other businesses serving Jewish customers, and its cultural facilities. Golda Meir
, who later became Prime Minister of Israel
, lived in the "West Side" neighborhood as a teenager. Her family's home at 1606 Julian Street was restored and moved to the Auraria Campus
in Downtown Denver.
The area's history is reflected by the continuing presence of a significant amount of its Jewish cultural character and institutions.
s. These boundaries define a walkable zone in which Jews who observe the traditional rules concerning the Sabbath
can congregate and socialize on the Sabbath without breaking those rules.
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. It is a traditional, Haredi community with its own eruv
Eruv
An Eruv is a ritual enclosure around most Orthodox Jewish and Conservative Jewish homes or communities. In such communities, an Eruv is seen to enable the carrying of objects out of doors on the Jewish Sabbath that would otherwise be forbidden by Torah law...
. The community follows Ashkenazi Jewish traditions as set forth by the Litvak
Litvak
Litvak may refer to:* Lithuanian Jews* Lithuanian Yiddish dialectPeople:* Anatole Litvak* Lydia Litvak...
Jewish tradition, that of Lithuanian Judaism.
Life in the community is centered around the Denver Community Kollel, Congregation Zera Avraham, Yeshiva Toras Chaim
Yeshiva Toras Chaim
Yeshiva Toras Chaim was founded in Denver, Colorado in 1967. It is headed by the Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan, and Rabbi Yitzchock Wasserman, both students of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, founder and rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. The yeshiva is an all-male,...
, Lake Steam Baths, and a Bais Yaakov (girls' school
Bais Yaakov
Bais Yaakov is a common name for Orthodox full-time Jewish elementary and secondary schools throughout the world for Jewish girls from religious families...
, Beth Jacob High School of Denver.
History
The West ColfaxWest Colfax, Denver
West Colfax is a neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. The neighborhood is located in the West Denver area. According to the Piton Foundation, in 2007, the population of the neighborhood was 11,285, and there were 3,958 housing units.-Boundaries:...
neighborhood of Denver was a predominantly Jewish area from the 1920s to the 1950s, as reflected in its residential population, a thriving business community that included kosher markets and other businesses serving Jewish customers, and its cultural facilities. Golda Meir
Golda Meir
Golda Meir ; May 3, 1898 – December 8, 1978) was a teacher, kibbutznik and politician who became the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel....
, who later became Prime Minister of Israel
Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
, lived in the "West Side" neighborhood as a teenager. Her family's home at 1606 Julian Street was restored and moved to the Auraria Campus
Auraria Campus
Auraria Campus is an educational facility located near downtown Denver, Colorado in the United States. The campus houses facilities of three separate universities and colleges: the University of Colorado Denver , Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State College of Denver...
in Downtown Denver.
The area's history is reflected by the continuing presence of a significant amount of its Jewish cultural character and institutions.
Eruv
The West Denver eruv is recognized by city ordinance, and its boundaries are marked by special wires strung from utility poleUtility pole
A utility pole is a pole used to support overhead power lines and various other public utilities, such as cable, fibre optic cable, and related equipment such as transformers and street lights. It can be referred to as a telephone pole, power pole, hydro pole, telegraph pole, or telegraph post,...
s. These boundaries define a walkable zone in which Jews who observe the traditional rules concerning the Sabbath
Shomer Shabbat
A shomer Shabbat or shomer Shabbos is a person who observes the mitzvot associated with Judaism's Shabbat...
can congregate and socialize on the Sabbath without breaking those rules.