A Standing "O" At The "San"

The "Sunday Evening at the San" benefit concert on July 15 th, 2007 featured "Los Lantzmun," who entertained guests with their upbeat and unique style of Hebrew, Yiddish and Judeo Spanish "Ladino" music. The concert took place at the Mary Harris Auditorium on the campus of the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design; all proceeds from the concert were contributed to the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Organization (JCRS) Isaac Solomon Historic Synagogue Foundation (ISHSF).

The Isaac Solomon Synagogue was constructed at the turn of the last century as a house of worship for tuberculosis patients of all religions. Many of those suffering with the "white Plague" had traveled to Denver from the east coast; all were welcomed by Dr. Charles Spivak, regardless of race, religion or prognosis and treated at no cost. The "San," the shortened word used by the patients for "sanitarium," was home to over 10,000 residents, many of whom went on to become prominent, well-known families in the Denver area. The historic house of worship is now in disrepair and is awaiting renovation with the hope for eventual use as an historic museum and life-cycle events center. This precious little building, rich in Lakewood's history, is on the National Historic Register, the Colorado Historic Register, and most recently, the Lakewood Historical Society's list of historic landmarks.

It was a lovely, warm evening with a wonderful turnout. Mayor Steve and Anne Burkholder arrived accompanied by former Lakewood City Councilwoman Kathy Stapleton; also attending, Lakewood City Councilman Bob Murphy, who will be running for Mayor of Lakewood this year, and Councilwoman Debbie Koop, who videotaped the entire concert for the foundation's archives. It was an evening of generations with a group of Dr. Charles Spivak's descendantscoming to support the cause and enjoy the concert. They included Dr. Spivak's grandson, Dan Spivak and his wife, Barbara; Eugene Spivak,another grandson of Dr. Spivak and Eugene's son, Gary Spivak, Dr. Spivak's great-grandson.

There were representatives of the ISHSF including Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design President, Steve Steele, Susan Zinn Goldman, Alison Greengard, Bonny Griffith, Martin Mendelsberg and Jennifer Sylman. Josh Sylman and Sam Facas, members of the City of Lakewood Youth Commission, arrived hours prior to the concert to assist Los Lantzmun in setting up their sound equipment and a huge assortment of musical instruments.

Bernie Goldman (co-founder of the synagogue foundation) with his wife, Susan Zinn Goldman) provided the audience with a brief history of the historic house of worship and then introduced the vocal group, "The Eighth Notes" who opened for Los Lantzmun, singing several popular Hebrew songs and a song of tribute to Dr. Charles Spivak with lyrics written by Dr. Jack Sylman and sung to the melody of "Oh, Susannah". The group, consisting of Bonnie Gertz, Mark Glickman, Sara and Arnie Goldstein, Susan and Craig Paff and Jennifer Sylman, were singing in their 2nd fundraiser for the synagogue foundation.

The Los Lantzmun concert was superb with timeless songs derived from Eastern European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sources. The energetic singers and instrumentalists, who each played several instruments skillfully and beautifully, achieved touching the audience with both heartfelt, expressive ballads and spirited, toe-tapping rhythmic selections that made the audience want to dance in their seats! The group of musicians was warmly and enthusiastically appreciated and received a standing ovation for a wonderful evening of entertainmentat the conclusion of the concert. Los Lantzmun generously donated their time and talent for this wonderful occasion to the foundation for the restoration and refurbishing of the Isaac Solomon Historic Synagogue.

Please visit the website at www.IsaacSolomonSynagogue.org for further information about the foundation and what you can do to help.