The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith Lodge 171, Denver, Colorado, was the primary Jewish philanthropic and social service organization in Denver from 1872 through World War II. (cont.)

The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith Lodge 171, Denver, Colorado, was a primary Jewish philanthropic and social service organization in Denver from 1872 through World War II. This fraternal organization received a charter from the National Order of B'nai B'rith on April 7, 1872. David Kline was the first president and Louis Anfenger was the first secretary. Charles M. Schayer served as president in 1876. The B'nai B'rith Denver Chapter created Colorado's Anti-Defamation League, the Mountain States Hillel Foundation, and the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO). One of the largest projects of the Denver B'nai B'rith was the vital role it played in establishing the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives in 1899. The Denver B'nai B'rith continues to be a major Denver organization. The records include administrative records, correspondence, publications and photographs of the Denver Lodge #171 and some documents and photographs of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization and a few records related to other lodges.

The National Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of B'nai B'rith was founded in 1913 by Sigmund Livingston, an Illinois lawyer and scholar. The purpose of the ADL is to fight prejudice and intolerance and to preserve the Jewish democratic heritage. (cont.)

The National Council of Jewish Women, Denver Section (NCJW) was a women's philanthropic organization founded by Carrie Benjamin in October 1893 to serve the Denver, Colorado Jewish community. (cont.)

Congregation Emanuel, the oldest synagogue in Colorado, was founded in Denver by a group of mostly German Jewish immigrants. At a meeting in 1874, members of the congregation decided to draft a constitution and incorporate the congregation as an institution of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Samuel Weil became the congregation's first rabbi in 1876; he served the congregation for only a year and was followed by a number of rabbis whose terms were short-lived. Rabbi William S. Friedman became the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel in 1889 and led the congregation for nearly 50 years. The Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel originated as the Ladies' Sewing Society, in 1915 changed its name to the Ladies' Auxiliary, and became the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel in 1915. Congregation Emanuel is still active today and its current synagogue is located at 51 Grape Street. The collection consists of Congregation Emanuel records, the Sisterhood and Brotherhood records, and the Emanuel cemetery records.

Religious items from the Ostrover Synagogue.

The Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society (RMJHS) was established in 1976 to promote and sponsor historical activity related to the Jewish experience in the Rocky Mountain region. The Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado partners with the RMJHS and the Ira M. Beck and Perle Hayutin Beck Memorial Archives to publicize and preserve the Jewish history of the Rocky Mountain region. The Beck Archives became a fully integrated part of University of Denver Penrose Library Special Collections and Archives in 1995. The records of the RMJHS include financial records, correspondence, records about RMJHS publications, programming (trips, events, etc.), financial records, and general administrative records.