Temple Aaron saved by the son of Holocaust survivors and community efforts

(TRINIDAD, Colo.) — Trinidad is not only known for its views of the Spanish Peaks and access to breathtaking state parks, but the southeastern Colorado town is also home to a historical synagogue, Temple Aaron, that years ago was facing challenges to keep their doors open.

“By 2016, it came to a point where there were just so few Jewish residents within a community that couldn’t afford to keep the doors open,” Neal Paul said. “So that’s when it went up for sale and that’s when I heard about it.”

Neal Paul lives in Littleton and is the son of Holocaust survivors. When he heard that the future of the synagogue was at stake, he felt the need to make the car trip to visit Trinidad.

Having never made a stop in Trinidad before, Paul recalled the moment he first stepped foot inside Temple Aaron, feeling his calling to protect the synagogue and all that it represents.

“When I first saw this building… it just grew on me instantly,” Paul said. “I didn’t feel like it was something I could shake off too quickly, so I just felt that it needed to be saved.”

Not only is there deep historical significance to the building, but the architecture is one which Paul immediately took note of. The bright red temple stands out just blocks away from downtown Trinidad, located in the heart of a local neighborhood where children could be spotted playing outside.

“The building was built in 1889,” Paul said. “This building was built six years after the first congregation formed, and it’s always been an active synagogue.”

According to the National Park Service, Temple Aaron is the second-oldest synagogue west of the Mississippi River that is in continual use in its original location. Congregation Aaron was founded in 1883, and shortly after members realized the need for a synagogue.

Others felt the same call that Paul had to Temple Aaron and joined together to raise funds along with bringing awareness about the historical synagogue in Trinidad.

“A lot of people are involved with it at this point,” Paul said. “Many people support it [and] we’ve recently been very fortunate to receive a national historic landmark which took four years in the making. It’s been a lot of work and a lot of effort.”

Temple Aaron was recognized in December 2023 as a National Historic Landmark and last month received the Endangered Places Progress Award from Colorado Preservation, Inc.

However, the age of the synagogue is evident in both the interior and exterior of the building. During a tour of the temple, Paul pointed out the need for a new roof with several holes visible at first glance and encouraged community members to help them ‘save our temple.’

The historical roots in the city of Trinidad are further evident not only in the downtown architecture but the stories of evolution in the modern-day world. Temple Aaron does not have weekly services but stays active in the community thanks to the power of technology.

“Right now, we do monthly Torah studies via Zoom, with COVID and everything, we’ve been able to reach out to a wider congregation, a wider reach,” Paul said. “We literally have congregants, paid members of this temple, that live from coast to coast, and we have a member in Jerusalem, actually.”

The next in-person Shabbat service will be held on July 13 and details on upcoming events can be found at templeaaron.org/events.

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