Sisterhood of

Fostering connections between Jewish women in metro Denver

Our sisterhood includes women of all ages, from all walks of life, and who celebrate Judaism from all backgrounds. 

Membership at Temple Emanuel or any other congregation is not required.

As sisters, we:


We invite you to join us!

The Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel is open to the public! When we're open, this sign will be on the sidewalk outside the building entrance. 

Store hours: Wednesdays 9am-7pm, Sundays 9am-1pm.

The Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel

Join us on Wednesday, February 26 for an amazing event: The Israel Museum's Special Exhibition and Trunk Show, ONE DAY ONLY! Museum representatives will travel from Jerusalem to Denver to display a variety of original works and Museum replicas. Come admire Israeli artistry and learn about the Museum's permanent collections. Free and open to the public, 9am-7pm. You can browse, buy, and support Israel all at the same time!

The Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel is Sisterhood's biggest fundraiser, operated on a nonprofit basis so proceeds can extend Sisterhood support within Temple Emanuel and across the Jewish community in Colorado and Israel. The store is staffed entirely by Sisterhood volunteers.

All year long, The Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel offers a wide variety of decorative and functional items that you can touch, feel, and try on, including:

Click here to learn more about The Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel, our hours of operation, and how you can support this venture operated by our Sisterhood.

The History of Our Sisterhood

Did you know? Sisterhood has been a part of the Temple Emanuel community since the very beginning!

Initially known as the Ladies Sewing Society, Temple's first auxiliary was founded in 1874 along with the Temple Emanuel congregation. The group donated the carpet and furniture for the first temple at 19th & Curtis. During the early years, the group sponsored a fair each December to raise money for additional items for the new building.

In 1913, members of our Ladies Auxiliary, as it was known at the time, traveled to Cincinnati to help organize the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS). Our group affiliated as a founding member and became Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel. Emma Sigmund was the first  Sisterhood president.  Another Sisterhood leader, Rachel Schwartz, led Saturday afternoon Bible classes that were inspirational to many members; ever since, Sisterhood honors her memory by recognizing Temple's outstanding female confirmand each year with the Rachel Schwartz Award. 

In the following decades, Sisterhood held "dormitory teas" or card parties to raise funds for the erection of a dormitory at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati (still known today as the Sisterhood Dorm). Our organization was also a primary supporter of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), the National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), and the Jewish Braille Institute (JBI, now JBI International). Through its connection with NFTS, our Sisterhood advanced the role of women in Jewish life, as many of our members took a place in the leadership of the Reform Movement.

Congratulations to 2025 Sisterhood Volunteer of the Year, Leslie Franklin

Leslie has been an energetic, involved member of the Sisterhood board for the past two years.  She has contributed her time, talents and enthusiasm in multiple ways.  Leslie is Communications Co-Chair, leads website efforts, and heads the committee for the Judaica Shop at Temple Emanuel. Her efforts have been a key success factor in making the shop the premier destination for Jewish gifts, housewares, home décor, and holiday items -- not just for families at Temple Emanuel but also for members of the greater Denver Jewish Community. Thank you, Leslie, for all you do for Sisterhood and the Jewish community!

Leslie Franklin
2025 Sisterhood Volunteer of the Year

During both WWI and WWII, our group worked with the Red Cross to make bandages, sweaters, socks, and other essential items for soldiers. In 1942, Temple hosted a Passover Seder for the Jewish soldiers stationed in camps throughout Colorado. Throughout the rest of the war, the Sisterhood Canteen was a popular weekly event at Temple that included a religious service, catered lunch, and dancing that offered a few hours of normalcy, companionship, good food, and live entertainment for the troops. 

When Temple began construction of its current facility at 1st & Grape in 1954, Sisterhood helped raise funds through its annual Harvest Ball, which "burst upon the social scene in a blaze of fun and glamorous excitement" and staged elaborate events held at the Brown Palace Hotel. After the new Temple opened in 1960, Sisterhood expanded its activities to include recording books and transcribing them into braille for Denver Public Schools and opening a Judaica Gift Shop, which is still in operation to this day, as one of the only Judaica shops remaining in Denver. 

Sisterhood members enjoy spending time together in our beautiful state!

Temple Emanuel

51 Grape Street

Denver, CO 80220

303-388-4013

SisterhoodDenver@gmail.com


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