Achievements of Denver Jewish Community Depicted (By Our Denver Correspondent)
Founded by a handful of hardy pioneers who crossed the plains in ox-carts to come to Denver in 1874, the Jewish community of Denver has grown until its religious and philanthropic leaders and institutions have attracted nationwide interest.
Four national tuberculosis sanitariums to which the Jews of America contribute approximately a million dollars each year have been established by Jewish societies.
The National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives was the first. It has a preventorium for children and a research department whose goal is to find a cure for tuberculosis. This institution houses about 275 patients and was founded 36 years ago by Rabbi William S. Friedman of Temple Emanuel.
The Jewish Consumptive Relief Society was established a few years later, and has grown into an institution taking care of 300 patients.
Twenty years ago the Denver National Home for Jewish Children was started. More than 100 children who are orphans or whose parents are unable to provide for them now are under the roof of the institution. Until last year it was called the Sheltering Home. The Denver National Home receives a small part of its support from the Community Chest.
A smaller sanitarium is the Ex-Patients’ Home, in existence about 10 years. It was originally started for the purpose of caring for patients in the stage between recovery and re-entrance into the business world, and now also ministers to tuberculous sufferers.
A great part of the 12,000 persons who make up the Jewish population in Denver is affiliated with one or other of the 16 congregations.
Temple Emanuel headed by Rabbi Friedman, is the largest, with a membership of almost 600. twice as many as the next in size. Beth ha Medrosh Hagadol under the leadership of Rabbi C. H. Kauvar, representing the conservative group. Temple Emanuel is a Reform Temple and the rest are Orthodox.
Dr. Friedman was president of the State Board of Charities and Correction for 10 years, a member of their board for 20 years, and has served on the governor’s advisory board. He is chairman of the book committee of the Public Libraries of Denver, vice-president of the Big Brothers movement, and interested in educational and philanthropic undertakings.
Zionism in Denver is restricted to the Orthodox cangregations and probably predominates among the more than 1000 members of the I. O. B. B. About 60 per cent. of its membership is Orthodox.
Among the Jewish figures outstanding in local community life are Dr. Bertram B. Jaffa, Ira L. Quiat, and Samuel Frendenthal, in addition to the philanthropists and religious leaders.
Dr. Jaffa was recently appointed city health commissioner, the youngest man ever to have received that position in Denver.
Quait was elected state senator last year on the Democratic ticket in the face of a Republican landslide for almost the entire ballot. Governor William Adams, a Democrat of 40 years standing in state affairs, was one of the few others of the party who was elected.
Freudenthal sits in the state legislature representing Trinidad.
Denver’s philanthropists have been rewarded by the growth of their projects within the last year, a contrast to the early struggles for their goals.
Mrs. J. N. Lorber, president of the Denver National Home for Jewish children, was one of the founders of that institution 20 years ago, and was honored at a celebration recently.
L. H. Guldman is founder of the Louise Guldman Community Center, established in the heart of the poor district of Denver Jewry. Another institution in that district is the Beth Israel Hospital and Old Folk’s Home.
Nathan Rothschild, head of the Central Jewish Aid Society, a Community Chest agency, has been active in that work for many years.
Isadore Samuels is chairman of the Community Chest campaign workers, whose drive for $779,000 began on Armistice day.
Samuel E. Kohn. a leading philanthropist, is president of Temple Emanuel. Dr. Phillip Hillkowitz. wellknown surgeon, is president of the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society.
Mrs. Seraphine Pisko has served the National Jewish Hospital as secretary for many years, and was recently honored when a building was dedicated in her name. Dr. Friedman is chairman of the board of managers.
Max Bronstine is president of the Ex-Patients’ Home. I. Rude, no longer a resident of Denver, is remembered for his philanthropy by projects bearing his name, one of which is a community center and hospital on the outskirts of the city.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
