“Blazing the Trail: Denver’s Jewish Pioneers,” an exhibit that documents Denver’s first Jewish residents, will be on display at DU’s Penrose library through mid-February.
The story is told through 12 panels illustrated with photos and includes other documents and household items.
Jeanne Abrams, professor of Judaic studies at DU and director of the Ira M. Beck Archives and Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society, is curator of the exhibit.
“It is highly significant that the 150th anniversary of Denver’s founding coincides with the 150th anniversary of Denver’s Jewish community,” Abrams says. “It reflects that Jewish citizens were ‘present at creation’ so to speak. This unusual phenomenon helps to explain the pivotal role that Denver Jews played in the political, social, cultural, economic and religious development of our city.”
The exhibit is part of the Center for Judaic Studies’ celebration of 150 years of Jewish life in Colorado. The nine months of events and programming surround the theme “Pioneering Jews: Cowboys, Rebels and Trailblazers.”