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Renovation of historic 1970s Building Ushers in New Era of Collaboration and Innovation
JEWISHcolorado is thrilled to announce the opening of its renovated home for Colorado’s Jewish community. In full alignment with the organization’s commitment to building and sustaining Jewish community, the newly coined Joyce Zeff Building is designed to bring people together through creative, inspiring and engaging opportunities.
“This building represents history and opportunity. Yet it is what starts in the building – ideas, collaboration and innovation – that is the true heart and soul of the Jewish community. We are excited to be the launchpad for many programs that make a difference in the lives of so many in our community,” said Rabbi Jay Strear, President and CEO of JEWISHcolorado.
Construction began on the historic home of JEWISHcolorado in summer 2017. The process of gutting the interior, creating more collaborative and common space, and adding a monumental staircase and rooftop deck, took approximately 24 months. Construction included replacing the elevator, opening up the interior to welcome in natural light and constructing a new monumental staircase that connects all four levels. Saunders Construction and Gensler Architects were the main construction and design contractors, with support from Wells Partnership and many local subcontractors.
The project has a cost of $10 million, including a $500,000 maintenance endowment. The associated campaign Project Transformation was formed to raise critical funding. As of today, the campaign has raised $9.5 million. A special interior wall designed from imported Israeli limestone illuminates plaques recognizing the campaign’s most generous donors. Construction was made possible by the substantial combined lead gift of $3.75 million from Diana Zeff Anderson, Dana Zeff and Ron Zeff, the children of Kal and Joyce Zeff, of blessed memory. The building recognizes Joyce Zeff for her contributions to the community by having her name proudly displayed at each entrance as well as the new West façade.
In recognizing her mother, Diana shares,
“My mother, Joyce Zeff, was an intelligent, gracious and generous woman whose heart was always open to someone in need. She was steadfastly committed to Israel and the local Denver community. My sister, brother, and I are so happy for the opportunity to make a testament to our mother and the community she loved.”
The Joyce Zeff Building is adjacent to the Staenberg Loup Jewish Community Center and houses staff for JEWISHcolorado as well as other community groups leasing space in this collaborative environment, including BBYO and B’nai B’rith. The space also includes “hotel” type desks for Jewish professionals to rent by the day or week.
A formal building dedication and recognition of donors took place on Thursday, September 26.
About JEWISHcolorado
JEWISHcolorado provides a pathway for Coloradans to connect with the Jewish people and our shared values. We offer diverse, creative and inviting opportunities to unite with the people of Israel and ensure a thriving and lasting Jewish community in Colorado. For more information, visit www.JEWISHcolorado.org.
I thought that the Zeff family would find this interesting!
My name is David Zeff I currently live in Santa Barbara and have visited Boulder many times one of my favorite cities I had no idea that there was a Zeff family so prominent in the area! Unfortunately, my father passed away on the second week of quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic! He was a Holocaust survivor's name was George Zeff Like Joyce he was a very giving person by nature, and very involved with the Jewish community in the Detroit Michigan area! He would speak at the Holocaust center there all the time and was a fixture there for many years! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9jA4qM24rY This is his story another great member of the Zeff family to be remebered I hope you enjoy and appreciate my sharing this with you all. Please feel free to contact me back if you wish! Thank you for your support to the Jewish community!