Gail Borden Library to host Jewish historian Neil Keller on ‘Triumph of the Spirit’

Jewish historian Neil Keller will share stories and bring personal items of Jewish athletes who struggled to stay alive during the Holocaust at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the Elgin Room at the Main Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

Keller’s hobby began in 1986, when he purchased a 1961 Sandy Koufax baseball card. He went on to collect more than 22,000 rare and personal items of prominent Jewish sports, political and entertainment figures over 35 years. He will showcase some of the items and photographs of Jewish athletes and others as well as share the stories about them.

Register to attend the program at attend.gailborden.info/events, by calling (847) 429-4597 or in person at any library branch.

The photo exhibit, “Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During and After the Holocaust” will be on display through August in the main library.

It tells the stories of courageous Jewish athletes facing atrocities of the Holocaust. The exhibit is from JCC Chicago, the same partner that brought the Violins of Hope exhibit to the library. Visit gailborden.info/growinghope.