Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society and Beck Archives

Housed at the Center for Judaic Studies and University Libraries, the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society and Beck Archives work in tandem to publicize and preserve the history of the vibrant Jewish experience in the Rocky Mountain region, with an emphasis on Colorado. We offer robust resources and programs for researchers, historians, scholars, educators, archivists and any community members who are interested in studying, teaching and preserving Jewish history in the Rocky Mountain region.

The RMJHS partners with the Ira M. and Peyrle Hayutin Beck Memorial Archives, which contains memorabilia and more than 1 million documents, including manuscripts, oral histories, newspapers, microfilm and more than 5,000 photos. Among the most important collections are the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society records, the National Jewish Hospital records and the B'nai B'rith Denver Chapter records.

Explore Treasures from the Beck Archives

  • A sepia-tone photograph of two people dressed in black, early 1900s clothing,Ernestine and Emil Loewenstein, circa 1906

    Ernestine and Emil Loewenstein, circa 1906 — Ernestine and Emil Loewenstein, Henry Lowenstein's paternal grandparents, pose for a formal portrait in Lessen, West Prussia.

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  • Yellowed letter from American General Consulate in Berlin 1938

    Letter from the American General Consulate in Berlin to Max Loewenstein assigning the family reserve numbers. The reserve numbers were their place on the waiting list to apply for admission to the United States. Reserve numbers 8960, 8961, and 8962 meant they would be allowed to apply for a visa sometime in 1943 or 1944.

  • Black and white photograph of Rachofsky's store in Black Hawk late 1800s; there is a woman in a long dress with bustle and a man holding a baby standing in front of the store

    Exterior of Abraham Rachofsky's New York Store in Black Hawk, Colorado. The store originally was owned by pioneer Abraham Rittmaster and then was purchased by his nephew Abraham Rachofsky who became one of the city's most important businessmen.

  • Black and white photograph of the exterior of the National Jewish Hospital around 1895

    Exterior shot features a sign over the top front porch, which reads, "The Frances Jacobs Hospital". The name was changed to National Jewish Hospital in 1899. Two unidentified men stand in front of the building.

  • Sepia photograph of the Bernstein family, all wearing early-1900s style clothing and riding donkeys, posed in front of Seven Falls waterfall

    Theresa (Mrs. Moritz) Bernstein, second from left, and her daughter Eva, the young girl on far left of image, ride on burros in front of the waterfalls at Seven Falls, Colorado Springs, Colorado, during a tour. The other individuals in the photograph are unknown. Another man stands behind the group beside a taxidermized elk.

  • Black and white photograph of Joe Mann orchestra in the 1920s; all men are in black suits and there is a woman in white sitting in the front of the orchestra.

    Joe Mann Orchestra members with their instruments.

people at the conference

We Host an Array of In-Depth Programs

Our in person and online programs include learning opportunities with international artists, scholars and speakers. 

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Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society