In 1926, on the west side of Denver, Mrs. Pearl Chernyk and Mrs. Anna Feldman wanted to give Jewish boys a traditional education. They got them off the streets and with the assistance of 25 other women, including my great-grandmother, formed a Talmud Torah and created the Beth David Sisterhood. By 1928, the Beth David Sisterhood merged with the Denver Hebrew Alliance, and the Hebrew Educational Alliance was born.
In the same way that the Alliance was built, this week’s parsha talks about the building of the Mishkan. Materials were needed from families to enable it to be built. It was an exciting time back then, just like it was an exciting time 90+ years ago when the first and second buildings were built on the west side. I remember that same feeling watching this wonderful building being built 27 years ago. Just like the Mishkan couldn’t have been built without everyone donating their heart, time, and resources, the same holds true for us. The Alliance would not be the great place it is today without the support and contributions from our community.
My family history with the Alliance goes back to the beginning with the Rubinstein and Sharoff families being founding families and initial supporters of this wonderful congregation. We have proudly continued their legacy through five generations and look forward to helping the Alliance grow with our continued support and active participation. Just like the women of the past Sisterhoods, today’s Sisterhood Board works tirelessly to take care of our congregation and youth. I am honored to work with such amazing, dedicated women.
This is an exciting time for the Alliance and its families. On behalf of myself and the Sisterhood Board, mazel tov to all of the founding families for creating a wonderful community that values tradition, Torah study, and Jewish values.
