Colorado: Denver's Kurzweil Day, September 13

One of Jewish genealogy's greats, Arthur Kurzweil, will speak on Sunday, September 13 at a Denver JCC event to commemorate 150 years of Jewish Colorado.

JGS of Colorado president Ellen Schindelman Kowitt has now provided information on the group's related - and creative - first fundraiser.

"We’re putting together a card deck with 55 unique historical images of Colorado Jewish family history. JGSCO is partnering with the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society to utilize their collection of historic photos housed at the University of Denver Penrose Library, Peryle H. and Ira M. Beck Memorial Archives.

Anyone who sponsors a card for $75, $150 or $200 gets their choice of an image – it can come from the Beck Archive or they can provide one of their own, which is what we encourage."

Some details: Photos must be 30 years or older and taken in Colorado. State dignitary photos will include Sen. Simon Guggenheim, Golda Meier, Dr. John Elsner (the first mohel and Denver Health founder), founding pioneer families and more.

The deck will also offer educational facts and how to research Jewish family history. Each card face may be sponsored by individuals who may add “In Memory of…” or “In Honor of…”, or businesses who wish to list a company name, phone number or website.

The JGSCO encourages everyone with Colorado Jewish family history to get involved. Images of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues and other Jewish structures or locations of significant Jewish Colorado history such as Cotopaxi and Atwood Agricultural Colonies, mining towns such as Leadville, Cripple Creek, Aspen, Black Hawk or Central City and families representing Jewish communities outside of Denver such as Pueblo, Trinidad, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Greeley are encouraged to participate by providing pictures and/or sponsorships.

“This is a great way to preserve and tell the local Jewish family history of the area,” said JGSCO president Ellen Kowitt. “Besides raising much-needed funds, these cards will create an acute awareness of our nonprofit organization and all of the programming and volunteer-led indexing projects we provide to the Colorado Jewish community. These playing cards will cross all age groups, are collectible items, educational and fun.”

Ellen also asks the worldwide Jewish genealogy community to delve into their family history databases and photo albums to see if they have a piece of Colorado Jewish family history to share. Let Ellen know what you have.

The Sunday, September 13 includes two free events by Kurzweil, and a dessert reception for the opening of "Blazing the Trail: 150 Years of Jewish Colorado" exhibit at the Denver JCC.

Often described as America 's foremost Jewish genealogist, Arthur Kurzweil's name has become synonymous with Jewish genealogical research. His highly praised book, "From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Family History," has become known as the definitive guidebook to the field. He has spoken before hundreds of Jewish groups on a variety of topics related to Jewish genealogy. A co-founder of the very first Jewish Genealogical Society in the 1970s, today there are some 70 Jewish genealogical societies throughout the world, including the Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado.

The program includes a workshop (2.30-4.30pm), a kosher dessert reception and exhibit (5.30-7.30pm) and a lecture (7.30-9.30pm). To register for one, two or all three events, contact Jeanne Abrams.

To sponsor a card, contact Barry Levene, or see the JGSCO website for more information.