Cathy Summer and Steve Ellis Honored at Boulder JCC’s 12th Annual Reflections

This year, the Boulder JCC honors visionaries in our community. At our 12th Annual Reflections, taking place at the Boulder JCC for the first time ever, Cathy Summer and Steve Ellis and Miche and Noah Bacher will be honored.

Cathy and Steve met 30 years ago on a snowy winter night in Denver. Although it was 20 below outside, sparks flew. They were introduced by an acquaintance who knew they shared something in common. Steve spent the prior year teaching in Switzerland, while Cathy made frequent trips to Europe for her then career in the fashion industry.

They both grew up in secular Jewish homes – Cathy in Taylorville, IL, and Steve in Berkeley, CA. When they met, Cathy was involved in the Denver Jewish community and Steve would soon follow suit. They married in 1991 and had two beautiful daughters, Jayne and Maya. They joined the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, the Denver JCC, and a baby group, all of which led to lifelong friendships.

In 1998, the Summer Ellis family moved to Boulder, but not before securing a spot for Maya at the Boulder JCC preschool. There they found friends, family (long lost cousins), community, and connection. It was not long before Steve started an eight year stint on the board of the Boulder JCC, serving as treasurer. They joined Nevei Kodesh and helped launch the Gourmet Havurah. Cathy worked on the education, design, and building committees, while Steve was treasurer and helped arrange the member financing used to acquire the congregation’s current building. They also volunteered for Rose Community Foundation, Horizons K-8, Boulder Jewish Festival, Friendship Bridge, and La Puente Home.

Steve and Cathy both made significant pivots during their careers. Steve began as a consultant and educator in the hospitality industry before shifting to finance. He is the founder and president of Colorado Capital Management, where he enjoys helping clients realize their financial and life goals. After many years in the fashion industry, Cathy went back to school for a Master of Social Work degree and started her second career as a hospice social worker. When she joined Jewish Family Service in 2010, it was a perfect blend of social work, community, and Jewish life. Cathy is now in private practice and focuses on supporting older adults and their families.

One constant for Cathy and Steve is their love of family. They are most proud of their daughters Jayne, now a CSU vet student in Alaska, and Maya who is living and working at the Haley House, a non-profit organization in Boston. Another constant in their lives is their passion for connection and community. This is why they treasure their 20-year involvement with the JCC. They take great pride in the amazing growth and success of the organization, its beautiful new building, and being a small part of the J’s remarkable story.

We can’t wait to celebrate these incredible community members at:
The Boulder JCC’s 12th Annual Reflections
February 23, 2019
6:45 pm
www.boulderjcc.org/reflections2019