Northbrook Public Library presenting exhibit on Jewish athletes

In partnership with JCC Chicago, Northbrook Public Library is hosting the “Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During, and After the Holocaust” exhibit on the library’s 2nd floor through June 15.

According to a news release, the exhibit features a rare collection of photos and reproductions of rare memorabilia of famous Jewish Olympic athletes whose lives were tragically impacted by the Holocaust.

The photos and memorabilia featured in the display were collected by Neil Keller, whose passion for preserving the legacies of prominent Jewish sports figures spans over 37 years, the release said.

His remarkable collection introduces some of history’s most influential and decorated Jewish athletes, including collectibles, photographs, trading cards, family memorabilia, historical newspaper clippings, and magazine articles, the release said. The exhibit also includes personal and touching stories about these inspirational and courageous men and women.

Library Events Production Manager Arielle Raybuck helped to coordinate the partnership with JCC Chicago.

“We really value the opportunity to share this profound exhibit with the Northbrook community,” Raybuck said in the release. “We also look forward to welcoming Neil Keller to the library on May 14 to share some of the remarkable stories of the athletes featured in the exhibit.”

To learn about the rich history and inspiring stories of these remarkable athletes, the public is invited to an intimate conversation with collector Neil Keller in Northbrook Public Library’s Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14. Advance registration is required for this free event. Registration is available at www.northbrook.info.

This exhibit was made possible through a collaboration with Neil Keller and Susana Flaum, Gallery Director of the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery of the Adolph and Rose Levis JCC, Boca Raton, Florida, and is powered by JCC Chicago’s Growing Hope, the release said. More information about Growing Hope is available at https://www.jccchicago.org/growing-hope