Shabbat Summer Services in Leadville

Jews Have Strong Roots in Leadville

This summer, Leadville’s Temple Israel Museum and Synagogue will host several Shabbat morning services in their beautiful building located on the corner of W. 4th and Pine Streets. All are welcome at all services; casual dress, no RSVP needed, never any charge. If you’ve never been inside this brilliantly restored gem, attending one of these meaningful services is a great way to experience the Temple in its full glory. See www.jewishleadville.org for more info and directions.

Upcoming Shabbat Services

• Saturday morning, June 8, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-Rabbi Ruth Gelfarb will lead services, which are hosted by Synagogue of the Summit. See www.synagogueofthesummit.org for details.
• Saturday morning, June 22, 2019, 10 a.m. Rabbi Sara Gilbert will lead services. www.jewishleadville.org for details.
• Saturday morning, August 17, 2019 Services will be hosted by Synagogue of the Summit. See www.synagogueofthesummit.org  for details.

Leadville’s history is rich with contributions of the Jewish faithful. Discover what their impact was on America’s highest city in these Leadville Today videos from the 2018 presentation “Jewish Life in Leadville in the 1880s.” This two-part program was presented by Rabbi Ruth Gelfarb and Leadville’s Bill Korn who is President of Temple Israel Foundation and provides a rarely seen look into the life of Pioneer Jews in Leadville. Here are those presentations in addition to some current news about the Temple and upcoming Annual Leadville’s Hebrew Cemetery Clean-Up scheduled later this month – enjoy and learn!

Part One – “Jewish Life in Leadville in the 1880s.”

Temple Israel: A Testament of Jewish Faith

Anyone who has read about Leadville’s past can recount the hundreds of stories of lawlessness, revelry, and blatant debauchery. It was an old west mining town in the “worst” way, at times. But regardless of its reputation, in the early 1880s, people from all social strata flocked to Leadville in search of their fortunes. Among the town’s approximately 30,000 inhabitants in the 1880s, were 300 Jewish faithful, including David May and the Guggenheims. It was during Leadville’s first “boom” on September 19, 1884, that the Temple Israel was dedicated, during Rosh Hashanah, reflecting the size and strength of Leadville’s Jewish community.

Fast forward 128 years and in September 2012, that same historic building was re-dedicated to those early pioneers. It now stands fully restored as a testament to this unique part of Leadville history. Thanks to efforts from the Temple Israel Foundation under the personal direction and dedication of local resident Bill Korn, the synagogue now adds to Leadville’s reputation as having the most museums per capita than any other city in the United States.

The Temple Israel Synagogue and Museum provides visitors with a view of what life was like for Leadville’s pioneer Jews. Jews were among the early settlers of the upper Arkansas Valley (ca. 1861) and while some worked in the mines, most worked as merchants. Wholesale liquor was an area of commerce that proved to be particularly lucrative. Leadville’s earliest Jewish settlers mainly had roots in Germany, held assimilationist attitudes, and practiced Reform Judaism. Later immigrants were more religiously rigorous.

Part Two – “Jewish Life in Leadville in the 1880s.”

Leadville’s Jewish population declined with the rest of the town when the U.S. silver standard was abandoned in 1893. Today, there are fewer than 100 Jews living in Leadville. While regular services are no longer held in the synagogue (except this summer’s services listed above), the building houses a small artifact collection that documents the experience of Leadville’s Jewish pioneers. The foundation has cataloged and has on display nearly 150 artifacts. The collection includes objects supporting the historic record that Jews found prosperity as merchants, tradespeople, and even one brothel owner. Those interested in seeing the collection may schedule a tour through the group’s website at www.jewishleadville.org.

But none of these efforts may have ever seen the lights from a Hanukkah menorah after a tragic fire in 2006, nearly brought the building to the ground. An electrical mishap had flames shooting high into the Leadville sky. But like a phoenix from the ashes, the tragedy gave added zeal to the renovation project, which was supported by private contributions and four grants from the Colorado State Historical Fund. The restoration was completed in 2008.

The Temple Israel Foundation’s dedication to preserving and upholding Leadville’s Jewish history does not stop here. While the synagogue is a testament to the life of Jewish pioneers, the Hebrew Cemetery has also been restored to protect and honor the souls resting there.

Since taking control of the cemetery grounds, very significant volunteer efforts led by the Denver chapter of B’nai B’rith continue every June (see below for his year’s event info). They have cleared much of the site from heavy overgrowth, encircled the area with a decorative fence, added an entry arch and monument, all of which culminated in the reconsecration of the cemetery in August 1999. The replacement of missing markers was completed in 2004.

To schedule a tour, reserve the synagogue for special events, make genealogical inquiries call, 303-709-7050 or 719-293-1274 or visit their website at www.jewishleadville.org.

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Annual Jewish Cemetery Clean Up June 22-23

Leadville is known for its cemeteries. People actually come to town specifically to spend time walking or driving thru the Evergreen, Hebrew and St. Joseph Cemeteries. And why not? Some of Colorado’s most interesting history and characters have found their final resting places right there on the edge of America’s highest city. So if that’s something that interests you then why not combine some community service in with that passion and mark June 22-23 on the calendar. The Annual Leadville Jewish Cemetery Clean-Up is scheduled for June 22 and 23. Now in its 23rd year, the event helps to beautify the Jewish Cemetery which is located adjacent to the Evergreen Cemetery in Leadville. There are several events planned for what has become an annual pilgrimage for many from the front range Jewish Community. The public is welcome.