Zera Abraham and Chevra Shaas (Denver, CO.), 1889- 2004

Congregation Zera Abraham (The Seed of Abraham) was organized on strictly orthodox lines, was founded in 1887 by a group of Russian Jews from the unsuccessful agricultural colony of Cotopaxi in southwestern Colorado. Ed Grimes served as president and Mecheeol Solomon was the secretary. There was a Mikvah (ritual bath) at the rear of the property. The first Rabbi, David Radinsky, graduated from the Rabbinical College at Kovno, Lithuania. The Chevra Shaas of Denver was established in 1893 by Rabbi Shul Baer Milstein. It was one of the earliest known established Chevra Shaas organizations in America and was hosted by Congregation Zera Abraham. It served primarily to encourage Torah and burials according to Orthodox traditions. According to its by-laws, each member had to pay a monthly fee of ten cents to join the group and had to agree to complete a specific section of Talmudic study. In the event the member was not able to complete his assigned portion, that individual was obligated to pay a fine to the Chevra Shaas. The organization continues to actively function as part of Congregation Zera Abraham. It holds a yearly dinner at the synagogue and encourages Torah study.