Jewish Alliance of Colorado Brings Grassroots Jewish Advocacy Statewide

COLORADO – The Jewish Alliance of Colorado (JAC), the statewide chapter of the American Jewish Alliance, is part of a growing national grassroots movement built around a simple idea: Jewish communities need people willing to show up.

The American Jewish Alliance grew from the Chicago Jewish Alliance, created amid the dramatic rise in antisemitism following October 7, 2023. The Chicago experience demonstrated the need for an organization capable of mobilizing Jews quickly, advocating publicly and giving community members a direct way to become involved. That model is now expanding nationally, including in Colorado.

JAC is proudly and unapologetically Jewish and Zionist. Its work extends across the Front Range and throughout Colorado, supporting Jewish communities, students and individuals who need advocacy, visibility and a stronger voice.

JAC does not seek to replace Colorado’s established Jewish organizations. It fills a complementary role: grassroots, visible and action-oriented. The organization mobilizes people to engage at city councils, school boards, college campuses and community events; support Jewish students; confront antisemitism; stand visibly with Israel; and build relationships across Colorado.

That philosophy is reflected in JAC’s leadership. Dr. Charles Jacobs serves on the organization’s Board of Directors, bringing decades of experience confronting antisemitism, defending Israel and building organizations designed to act when emerging threats are too often ignored. Jacobs co-founded The David Project to address hostility toward Jewish and pro-Israel students on college campuses and has held leadership roles in organizations focused on media accountability, human rights and Jewish advocacy.

“Charles has spent decades recognizing challenges facing Jews and Israel early and then building institutions to do something about them. That perspective is vital to what we are building. We believe Jewish advocacy must be thoughtful and fact-based, but it also has to be courageous, visible and willing to act.”

– JAC President Aaron Brooks

For Brooks, founding JAC is also deeply personal. For more than two years, he has been actively engaged in Jewish advocacy across the Front Range, from municipal meetings and public demonstrations to college campuses and community events. He has also participated every week in Boulder’s Run for Their Lives gathering in support of the hostages held by Hamas.

On June 1, 2025, Brooks was present on Pearl Street when an antisemitic terrorist attacked members of that community. He stood only feet from the attacker and then helped injured community members in the immediate aftermath.

“Having witnessed firsthand where antisemitic hatred can ultimately lead, I became even more convinced that Jews cannot retreat from public life,” Brooks said. “We need greater engagement, confidence, visibility and community. That conviction is a major reason I decided now was the time to build the Jewish Alliance of Colorado.”

JAC welcomes Jews from different political, religious and personal backgrounds, while remaining unequivocal about its identity. Zionism, the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, is foundational to the organization.

“Our purpose is simple,” Brooks said. “We are here to help more people find their voices and make sure that when they use them, they don’t have to stand alone.”