15 Dec Rare Memorabilia of Jewish Olympic Athletes Before, During & After The Holocaust Exhibited Exclusively at Boca Raton’s Levis JCC Sandler Center
The Levis JCC Sandler Center is at the forefront of bringing unique cultural arts and learning programming to the community in 2023. The organization has announced its upcoming exhibition, Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During and After the Holocaust. The exhibition featuring rare and extensive memorabilia of famous
Jewish Olympic athletes will open at the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery on January 5 and will run through February 28. The opening reception begins at 3 pm and will include private tours, films, author appearances and special guests.
Local collector Neil Keller has amassed more than 100 pieces over a 35-year span by leading a worldwide pursuit.
“I have spent the better part of my life tracking down family members and other individuals that would lead me to discovering the stories behind these remarkable athletes,” said Keller. “This has been a fulfilling quest and I am honored to share it.” Athletes like World Champion Victor Young Perez; boxer Kid Francis; track and field athlete Marty Glickman; Fort Lauderdale Swimming Hall of Famer Eva Szekely and Helene Mayer, named by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 100 female athletes of the 20th Century, will all be featured in the exhibition, among many others.
“We are so proud and honored to be able to share this truly unique collection of photographs and memorabilia of Jewish athletes with the community here in Boca Raton,” said Karen Lazar, Arts, Culture & Learning Chair of the Levis JCC Sandler Center. “We are so fortunate to have unique access to Neil Keller’s remarkable collection. It’s likely the only one of its kind in the world, and the depth and breadth of artifacts and information he has collected about Jewish athletes before, during, and after the Holocaust is astounding. The stories of these athletes are inspiring, heartbreaking and truly unforgettable.”
Featured images from the exhibition can be found HERE and were provided courtesy of Neil Keller. To view the complete Arts, Culture and Learning brochure, visit https://levisjcc.org/culture/. All events take place in-person at the Levis JCC Sandler Center located at 21050 95 th Avenue S. in Boca Raton unless otherwise specified.
About the Levis JCC Sandler Center
The Levis JCC Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center highlights renowned talent from artists and actors to authors and so much more and gives adults of all ages and faiths an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests in continuing education, travel, and social events. Learn more at levisjcc.org/culture or call 561-558-2520.
About the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage, and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs for individuals of all ages. With a preschool, summer camp, family activities, athletics, cultural arts, adult enrichment, and special needs
programming, as well as a Resale Boutique, the Levis JCC offers something for everyone.
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