History of Har Shalom

Original building committee: Bill Shachtman, Michael Aaronson, and Neil Sherrod

Har Shalom today

In 1975, a handful of local families founded a religious school for Jewish children, and became known as the Fort Collins Jewish Community. Families met for seven years in members' homes until they grew to a size in need of a permanent structure. Under the leadership of then-President Michael Aaronson, Chairman Neil Sherrod, and Bill Shachtman, a formal building committee broke ground on May 3, 1981.

In 1982, the building was completed at 725 West Drake Road and we became officially known as Congregation Har Shalom (CHS). Eighty member families and 37 religious school students made up the Har Shalom community at this time. For many years we were the only center of Jewish life between Greeley, CO and Cheyenne, WY.

Today, Congregation Har Shalom is an active center of Jewish learning and worship, serving all of Northern Colorado. Choosing not to affiliate  with a specific denomination of Judaism, we serve a wide diversity of spiritual paths. Our synagogue membership of 200+ families represents a rainbow spectrum of Jews from varied affiliations and geographical origins.

Our congregation strives to blend elements of traditional Jewish ritual with a personal and open style of worship.  Each family is provided the opportunity to experience meaningful involvement at many levels and in many areas of interest.  

Congregation Har Shalom is a vibrant and active community!  There are many religious, educational, social and community service-oriented activities scheduled throughout the year. Our Montessori-inspired preschool welcomes young students from the entire Fort Collins community and our Religious School engages 100+ students in learning and comradery.

We look forward to the coming years with a sense of purpose for our place in Northern Colorado.