“It feels like coming home,” Jackie Chazan describes her experience joining JCC Denver. Since relocating to the Mile High City from three years ago, the 63-year-old senior legislative aide is redefining what Judaism means to her, while celebrating traditions and building bridges.
“It all started when I was born to American parents in Los Angeles in 1962,” Jackie says matter-of-factly. “Then I was adopted by my parents who live in Mexico City and raised in the Jewish community.” There, she attended Jewish school and was involved in youth groups and other aspects of Jewish life. “I’ve always been drawn to my Jewish roots,” she muses before explaining the inspirational lull that stretched over much of her adult life. “I dated and married someone non-Jewish. During those years, my only contact with Judaism was going back to Mexico City for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover to spend with my family.”

Jackie Chazan sharing a smile with Senator Michael Bennet
By the time Jackie got divorced and moved back to Denver, the yearning to reconnect with her roots had already grown to a blazing size.
Jackie’s last name, Chazan—which means cantor, or a person who leads temple services— is quite telling. Her father, Mishka Chazan founded the conservative temple Bet El in Mexico City, because the neighborhood only had Orthodox synagogues. “He wanted to sit with his family during services,” she explains. “Now in Denver, I go to BMH temple,” she says of her transforming relationship with Judaism, from perfunctory to meaningful.
“Being in a Jewish space and socializing with people is what drew me to the JCC, where I go to regularly,” the mother of two grown children says.
However, the word ‘go’ hardly encapsulates what Jackie does for the J community. In fact, she is one of six people on the committee for the new JCC Shalom Club— a socially engaging group designed for folks ages 50 and above who want to connect, grow, and enjoy life to its fullest. Whether people are looking to make new friends, stay active, fuel their creative side, learn something new, or just have fun, Shalom Club caters to different interests while addressing the growing gap in Jewish community spaces for this demographic.

Jackie posing with With Ari Melber, anchor of MSNBC’s The Beat at a Mizel Arts and Culture Center event.
Last month the Shalom Club held its inaugural event, kicking things off with a Hanukkah Party that was all the rage—delicious food, festive decorations, fun music, and a huge turnout. Meanwhile, Jackie was behind the scenes keeping everything in order. “I worked at the event, so I oversaw the receiving line checking people in. I also tended the bar, went around different tables asking if everything was ok and then cleared the tables afterwards,” she explains. “I like planning the events and seeing everything come together.”
Even if you missed Shalom Club’s Hanukkah Party, the club has several other exciting upcoming events, including a group viewing of the film, “Everything’s Kosher” at the Denver Jewish Film Festival on January 26, at 2:30 pm.
Shalom Club is also launching its Current Events & Schmooze 2.0 weekly meetups this month, where Jackie will exercise her extroverted skills as the group’s facilitator. “I am a news junkie and also love current events and having discussions,” she offers about the role’s natural fit for her. Current Events & Schmooze 2.0 will be held at the JCC on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm for working professionals who are available in the evenings.
“I hope to draw in more people and build a sense of community and a safe space where people can exchange ideas and form friendships,” she adds after a thoughtful pause. “People may get divorced and lose friends. Shalom Club is a great space for people to make new friends,” she continues. “Or it can simply be for those who work during the week and still want to be a part of a community and enjoy those activities. It can even help newcomers in the area,” she adds of her own journey braving a new community at 60 years old.
To stay updated on all things related to Shalom Club (50+), please visit our website here.