Oral histories

Topics covered: History of programs of the JCC

Mike Zelinger talks about the startup of the community in Denver as well as the Jewish Community Center (JCC) starting in the early 1920s.

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.

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.

Topics Covered: Family background and growing up in Denver, Jewish community, Jewish Community Center involvement on board, as president, fundraising, functions of the Center.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.