Reflections is fast approaching and we are so excited to be celebrating the 11th anniversary of our annual gala fundraiser!
There are still tickets available (purchase tickets here), so don’t miss out on the party of the year, and a great opportunity to give back to the Boulder JCC.
For Reflections 2018, we are thrilled to be honoring Carolyn Grant.
Carolyn Grant grew up in Mamaroneck, NY, getting her first taste of Colorado at age 7 during what became the annual family ski trip followed by summer backpacking trips through the Rockies. Bitten by Chief Niwot’s curse, she built her life in Boulder following graduation from the University of Colorado, obtaining her BS in Environmental Design & Architecture and continued post-graduate studies in Interior Design. This passion for design continues to influence her role in the family real estate business in Colorado and New York.
Jewish Boulder has morphed quite a bit from the time when Carolyn settled here back in 1979. Since then, she has seen it transform from a small town with one synagogue, a Hillel, a Hadassah chapter, and just one Chinese restaurant (Oy!) into a virtual metropolis with all of the ingredients of a thriving and vibrant Jewish community. Drawn to the mountains, but never quite leaving that New York girl behind, she has always felt lucky to be in the right place at the right time as Boulder and Denver matured. She has been thrilled to be a part of a community driven to create this amazing JCC to nourish our souls, minds, and spirits in our own Boulder-Jewish way. Though never having any prior connection to the JCC world, here in Boulder it became a perfect time when she enrolled her daughter, Samantha, in the pre-school and made lifelong friends.
Carolyn grew up in a family dedicated to philanthropy in every sense of the word, committed to supporting their causes financially, and most notably with endless dedication, involvement, and leadership. Her role in women’s philanthropy began to take shape when the Boulder Jewish Women’s Center was formed with the support of Denver’s Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado (now JEWISHcolorado). Its goal was to connect, inspire, and empower Jewish women through their philanthropy and tzedakah. It was a game changer for what Jewish community meant, and she was hooked. Over time, her engagement led her to become:
- Boulder Jewish Women’s Center Chair, President 2002-2004
- Boulder Women’s Philanthropy Center Chair and Boulder Campaign Chair 2005
- AJF of Colorado, Boulder Representative, Coordinating Council, 2004 – 2005
- Boulder JCC, member Board of Directors 2008 – present
- Boulder JCC, Secretary, Executive Committee – 2009 – 2011
- Stepping Stones , Advisory Committee member – 2009 – 2010
- Adventure Rabbi Advisory Committee member – 2014
- Parlando School of Musical Arts, Board member – 2011 – present
She and her three children, Samantha, Jordan, and Coby continue the family tradition of finding adventure together in Colorado.
Check out the other honorees for Reflections 2018, Alice Messinger and Kate & Josh Dinar.