In Hebrew, Klal Yisrael refers to the idea that the Jewish community and people are a unified body. This term signifies a shared history, culture, and responsibility regardless of where a Jewish individual resides in the world be it France, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Germany, or Argentina. Despite the worldwide diaspora (historical scattering of Jewish people from the land of Israel), Jewish people maintain a deep connection to identity, traditions, cultural practices, and communal experiences.

The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center of Denver (JCC Denver) connects the Denver-Metro diaspora to one another, building community and facilitating friendships of all ages despite the “out of towner” status that approximately half the state’s population holds.

Throughout the JCC Denver program called Current Events & Schmooze, a lively crew of older adults fill the Mizel Reception Room to kvetch and kvell every Friday morning. A quick poll revealed that only four of the regular attendees are Denver natives out of forty participants. The rest derive from destinations like Detroit, Chicago, New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Mexico. They moved to Colorado at a variety of ages and chose to do so for a plethora of reasons; some arrived when they were eighteen to earn their college degrees, and many endured the cross-country schlep at eighty to be closer to their grandbabies.

Nancy Joyce, originally from Chicago, shares how eager she was to live near her son and granddaughter. Nancy says, “I retired and came out to Denver to be near them. A friend of mine brought me to the JCC when I first moved, and I loved the people that I met. Now I come every week.” Donald Turken is from New York. He explains that he moved to Colorado because of his wife, but he stayed for the lifestyle that Denver offers them. He shares, “I started coming to the JCC when I moved because I’m a proud Jew and I wanted to be involved with Jewish community.” Another regular Current Events & Schmoozer, Louis Wolfe, moved from Kansas to Colorado in 1972 for his occupation. He says, “I was a program manager at the Denver office of the American Friends Service Committee. Then, I stayed! I married and it was a package deal – a wife, house, and two stepsons. I started coming to the JCC on a regular basis for Current Events, and I also enjoy the plays and arts and culture programming. Being part of the Jewish community is just a good place to be.” Randy Ross left Detroit in 1980 because he was ready for a change of scenery…literally. Randy tells his Denver origin story with a chuckle: “In Detroit, I was burglarized twice in one year. I was familiar with the Rockies and figured it would be an adventure, so I loaded a truck and drove west.”

Additionally, everyone’s journey to the JCC is exceptional – some people have been JCCniks since infanthood while other journeys to the J are only just beginning. Faith Karm has been affiliated with Jewish Community Centers as long as she can remember. She explains, “I went to JCC camps when I was a girl, then sent my kids to the JCC preschool and day camp in Chicago. So of course, I was attracted to the JCC Denver when I moved.” Meanwhile, AnnMarie Jackson only just started attending Current Events & Schmooze about one year ago and explains how this is her first time in a Jewish space. “I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana. I moved to Denver from Houston in 1988 but just recently saw an advertisement in the Windsor Life newspaper for the JCC. I thought I would give it a shot. As soon as I arrived, I was hooked! The friendliness of the people keeps me coming back. I learn so much,” AnnMarie says.

Program participants are attracted to Colorado and to JCC Denver for an array of purposes. A few have deep roots in the state, while others are still growing accustomed to the I-25 traffic. Some children grew up in JCC Early Learning Schools while others are still learning about what the JCC has to offer. Everyone’s story and association to the JCC is diverse, yet there is a common thread in each traveler’s tale: Jewish community is not a place, but the people. It’s found in the friendly faces on a Shabbat morning over a cup of coffee while debating in Current Events. It’s discovered at the age of seventy-six after a cross-country relocation when the phone line rings, and you hear, “Hi, this is the JCC Denver. How can I help you today?” Judaism connects the diaspora to one another. We are Klal Yisrael no matter where we call home.