We’re just weeks away from the 2024 JEWISHcolorado Annual Meeting! On Wednesday, August 21, we will gather to celebrate last year’s accomplishments and learn more about how we can work together to ensure a flourishing Jewish community here in Colorado and around the world. Not only will we share important updates about JEWISHcolorado, but we will also cheer on this year’s incredible award recipients. Learn more about each of these outstanding community members below, and don’t forget to register and make a tribute here.
Eitan Kantor | Michael Staenberg Young Jewish Agency Professional Award
Eitan Kantor is a musician, educator and composer based in Denver, CO. Eitan is the Music Director of the Hebrew Educational Alliance, a Conservative synagogue in South Denver. Through the creation of both religious and secular Jewish music, he works to inspire social action rooted in Jewish values. He channels music through his fiddle, his singing voice and the collective singing voice of the community. His music is rooted in musical traditions of Eastern Europe and sends branches skyward towards the potential of the present moment. As a cantorial soloist, klezmer dance party stoker, virtual choir facilitator and youth educator, Eitan raises up curiosity, playfulness and faith in the ability of each person to be an essential thread in the communal musical tapestry.
Jonathan Perlmutter | Volunteer of the Year Award
Jonathan is a goal focused individual who embraces roles that bring meaning and purpose to his family, friends, business and community. For more than thirty years, Jonathan has been in the real estate development industry. As part of Jonathan’s passion to serve the Jewish community, he is a member of the Board of Directors of JEWISHcolorado, where he chairs the Safety & Security Committee. He works directly with professionals at Secure Community Network (SCN). This national network assigns highly trained individuals dedicated to improve and enhance the safety and security of Colorado’s Jewish community. Jonathan’s committee includes leaders from major local Jewish organizations, local professionals from SCN and experienced advisors. In addition, Jonathan serves as a Safety & Security Liaison with his congregation, The Denver Kehillah and also serves as a member of the Colorado AIPAC Council. Throughout his career Jonathan served on several boards and committees including Denver Jewish Day School, DAT Minyan, the Hebrew Educational Alliance, Adams County Economic Development and the Adams 12 Five Star Education Foundation.
Marisa Porter | Charlotte B. Tucker Young Leadership Award
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Marisa has been involved with the Jewish Federation from a young age, learning about philanthropy from her family. She has been involved with National Young Leadership Cabinet for over seven years, five of which, she has served as the chair of her class. When she moved to Colorado six years ago, she immediately became involved with JEWISHcolorado, and has been on JEWISHcolorado’s Young Adult Division (YAD) board, the Staenberg Anything Grants™ Committee, and the ELEVATE planning committee. Professionally, she runs her own marketing consulting business helping consumer and pet brands evaluate, develop, and implement impactful marketing and advertising strategies. In her free time, Marisa loves going to concerts, skiing, and traveling.
Gil Selinger | Warren & Ruth Toltz Young Leadership Award
Gil’s involvement in the Jewish community in Colorado spans his whole lifetime, with early involvement as a donor and participant in Super Sundays with the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado as a child. Gil currently serves in a plethora of leadership roles for JEWISHcolorado and JFNA, including Board of Directors of JEWISHcolorado and chair of its Planning and Grantmaking Committee, National Young Leadership Cabinet, Vice Chair for Israel and Overseas of National Young Leadership Cabinet, including planning its recent Mission to Argentina and Uruguay, member of JFNA Israel & Overseas Committee and JFNA Emergency Ukraine Task Force, observer seat for the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Board of Directors of JDC and the Board of Directors of World ORT. Gil traveled to Israel in February of this year to participate in the first Jewish Agency Board of Governors in-person meeting since October 7.
Major General Doron Almog & The Jewish Agency for Israel | Partner Organization of the Year
Over the years, through initiatives such as the Shaliach and Shinshinim programs, The Jewish Agency has been a powerful partner, working alongside JEWISHcolorado to enhance understanding of Israel and global Judaism. By bringing Israelis into local communities, Jewish Coloradans have gained invaluable knowledge about the Jewish state and have been better equipped to have difficult conversations surrounding this often misunderstood topic. Since October 7th, 2023, The Jewish Agency has stood proudly alongside JEWISHcolorado and Jewish Federations nationwide as we continue to combat the rise in antisemitism, here at home through programs such as the recent event in Aspen with Senior Envoy to Washington, D.C. Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, the ongoing Fund for the Victims of Terror which activated immediately when news of the vicious attack broke, and the Aliyah program which enables Jews worldwide to become part of Israeli society. We look forward to continued partnership with The Jewish Agency in the months and years to come.
Register to attend the 2024 JEWISHcolorado Annual Meeting and make a tribute for our award recipients here.