HaLapid-Spring Summer 2019

urban centers, or more often, heading West to far-flung
communities where they could travel by foot or horseback
and sell whatever was needed — the Jewish peddler had
arrived and the independent retail store wasn’t far behind.
Difficult as it was, many would seek their fortune in the
rugged mountains of southern Colorado and landscapes of
northern New Mexico, but the word was out that Trinidad,
just 20 miles from the New Mexico state line, was a thriving
community, and hopes were high. Ambitious settlers had
begun to move there in 1860 when coal was discovered and
quickly built a bustling town of some 1200 citizens.
Historical record attests to the Jewish settlers’ fierce
determination. (For a detailed, closer look, read “Pioneer
Jewish Families of New Mexico,” Gaon Books.) Courageous
German Jews, a great many from Bavaria, came to the area
to homestead, open businesses, and succeed where others
might have failed.
master, Isaac Hamilton Rapp, who designed the building in
1889 in the Exotic Revival style, with its spectacular Reform
motifs, including 12 windows on each level representing
the 12 tribes of Israel, a theater-style plan to provide for
integrated seating for men and women, and an onion dome
and pyramidal roof towers.”
The sanctuary seated 200 people and was graced by elegant
Top, left - Temple Aaron column with onion dome.
Top, right - Roof tower with Oriental pyramid dome.
Center - Dedication block with original founders of congregation.
Bottom - The town of Trinidad, Colorado
In Trinidad they quickly set up shop as proprietors, saloon
keepers, and professionals, including doctors and lawyers.
In 1883, the first Jewish congregation was established,
Congregation Aaron. Some believe the name came from
one of the founders’ children. That congregation had 24
members. Henry Biernbaum who ran a general store on
Main Street, served as its first president. Over time, certain
names became legend — businessman Leopold Gottlieb,
and Samuel Jaffa who eventually became the first mayor of
Trinidad, for example. The town’s small but vibrant Jewish
community played a major role in the development of
Trinidad’s strategic role in southern Colorado and northern
New Mexico.
Within a few years, in 1889, the enterprising community
would build Temple Aaron, founded at the time with a mere
46 men and their families. And what a synagogue it was!
The 11,000-square-foot, red brick and stone building was
situated on a hill overlooking the center of town. According
to Kim Grant of Colorado Preservation Inc., a statewide,
non-profit historic preservation advocacy, educational
and technical services organization, “Temple Aaron is an
architecturally significant and intact work of a recognized
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