Jewish Olympic Athletes will be honored in 2023 by the Levis JCC Sandler Center, which is the forefront of bringing unique cultural arts and learning programming to Boca Raton, FL. The organization has announced its upcoming exhibition, “Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During and After the Holocaust,’’ featuring 100 rare and extensive memorabilia of famous Jewish Olympic athletes will open at the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery on Jan. 5, 2023 and will run through Feb. 28, 2023.
The opening reception begins at 3 pm and will include private tours, films, author appearances and special guests. This exhibition is free and open to the public.
Local collector Neil Keller has amassed more than 22,000 pieces over a 35-year span by leading a worldwide pursuit of prominent Jewish figures throughout history.
“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 such as 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, each will 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.”
All events take place in-person at the Levis JCC Sandler Center located at 21050 95th Avenue S. in Boca Raton, unless otherwise specified.
Photo: Kid Francis (Levis JCC Sandler Center