Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center
Sources
The Jewish Community Center of Denver opened in 1922 as part of a nationwide movement to provide cultural and athletic activities to local Jewish communities. The Rude family donated the land in Blumberg Park and the Guldman family donated the equipment. With the initiation of day camping and programs for young adults and seniors, the Guldman Center outgrew the building and moved to a large mansion at 1601 Irving Street in 1937. The Center served to bring cultural and educational opportunities to the Jewish community. There were English classes for immigrants as well as literary and musical programs. The Irving Street Center served as the west branch of the Jewish Community Center until 1967. The east branch opened in 1950 at the old B’nai B’rith building at Colfax and Williams. In 1962, a new Jewish Community Center opened on 10 acres of land at East Alameda and Dahlia Streets, the Center's current site. In 1995, after extensive renovation, the Center was dedicated as the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center.
Found in 56 Collections and/or Records:
Michael Zelinger on History and Programming of Jewish Community Center, circa 1980
Topics covered: History of programs of the JCC
Mike Zelinger on Jewish Community Center, circa 1978
Mike Zelinger talks about the startup of the community in Denver as well as the Jewish Community Center (JCC) starting in the early 1920s.
Oral History Interview with Ben Blumberg, 1977 November 18
Topics covered: Family history, life in Denver, working for the Rocky Mountain News and starting the West End Press; B'nai B'rith and several other organizations: JCC, JCRS, Rose Medical Center, Allied Jewish Federation. Index in file B098.18.0022.0008.
Oral History Interview with David Eskenazi, 1979 August 22
Topics covered: Goals of the Jewish Community Center, functions of the center, relationship to other agencies, individual leaders of the center. Index in file: B098.18.0022.0010.
Oral History Interview with Edward Simon, 1979 July 16
Topics Covered: Family background and growing up in Denver, Jewish community, Jewish Community Center involvement on board, as president, fundraising, functions of the Center.
Oral History Interview with Frayda Ornsten, 1978 July 17
Frayda Lynn Ornsten (née Blumberg) discusses her childhood, including the Jewish environment, schooling, and family gatherings. She also discusses her two marriages and her education and career in the field of special education. She talks about her father, Ben Blumberg, and her relationship with him. She reflects on changing attitudes, roles, goals of youth, and her philosophy of life. Went to the University of Denver.
Interview Index notes in Release file B098.01.0022.0003
Oral History Interview with Helen Ginsburg, 1979 July 19
Topics Covered: Family background and growing up in Chicago; working at the Jewish Community Center, getting social work degree from DU and working for Red Cross, served on Board and as president of Center, fund raising and the camp.
Oral History Interview with Herman and Nancy Markowitz, 1979 May 28
Topics covered: Early life, coming to Denver in 1958 to be the director of the JCC, there while new building was being built, left for Oakland in 1962 and returned to Denver on 1965, JCC Ranch summer camp, Center programs, Denver Jewish community, relationship with other organizations: National Council of Jewish Women, National Jewish Health, B'nai B'rith.
Oral History Interview with John Streltzer, 1979 June 29
Topics Covered: Originally from Denver, West Colfax, family life, involvement with JCC through B'nai B'rith at first, Ranch Camp, Fundraising, President of B'nai B'rith and JCC, time in legislature. Index in file: B098.18.0022.0010.
Oral History Interview with Joseph Pells, 1979 July 19
Topics Covered: Family background and growing up in Denver, Jewish community, Jewish Community Center involvement on board, as president, fundraising, functions of the Center and their effectiveness. Relationship between JCC and other community organizations.