Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society

Jews first came to Colorado in 1859, seeking opportunity, freedom, and a better quality of life. As they began to settle in the Centennial State and the Rocky Mountain region they thrived, establishing businesses, Jewish communal organizations, and houses of worship. Jews have played a pivotal role in the cultural, political, and economic development of Colorado and the American West. Today, the region is home to a rich Jewish historical legacy, while newer generations and recent arrivals continue to shape the destiny of our state and write new chapters in the story of the Rocky Mountain Jewish experience.

For nearly fifty years, the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society (RMJHS), part of the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver, has been dedicated to educating the public about the history of Jewish life in the Mountain West. Partnering with DU’s Ira M. & Peryle Hayutin Beck Memorial Archives, we serve a broad constituency of students, researchers, genealogists, educators, and community members interested in exploring and learning from our past. Our work showcases the contributions of Jews to the development of the West, documents the struggle against antisemitism in the region, and examines the ever-evolving dynamics of Jewish life in Colorado and the surrounding states.

Signature Programs

RMJHS on the Road

Our “RMJHS on the Road” travel program takes participants to places such as Leadville and Trinidad, Colorado to explore Jewish history in the Mountain West up close and in person. Through walking tours and visits to historic synagogues, cemeteries, and museums, we gain a richer understanding of the depth and breadth of Jewish life in Colorado and beyond.
Livingston & Abrams Lecture in American Jewish History

Our annual Livingston & Abrams Lecture in American Jewish History brings eminent speakers, thinkers, and performers to Denver to present on the American Jewish experience. This endowed lecture honors the memory of Professor John Livingston, an integral founder of the RMJHS and professor of history at DU, and his wife Nancy of blessed memory. We also celebrate the contributions of former RMJHS Director and long-time curator of the Beck Archives, Dr. Jeanne Abrams.
Quarterly Book Club

Our book club meets four times a year to discuss new publications in the field of Jewish history or a memoir or novel that deals with Jewish themes.
Heritage Awards

Our annual Heritage Award Evening, held in May to coincide with Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrates the contributions of outstanding professionals and leaders in our community while raising critical funds to support our work. In recent years, we have honored journalists, photographers, and real estate developers.

"Jewish Coloradans have been centrally involved in shaping the landscape and transforming the face of the Mile High City."
- Constructing Colorado: Denver Jews and the City's Development