What's New!

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with Pikes Peak Library District! Explore the resources on this page recognizing the culture, experiences, and contributions of the Jewish American community. 

Programs 

Getting Started with Jewish Genealogy

Get started on your Jewish genealogy! Attend this in-person class to learn how to work with the unique challenges and advantages associated with tracing Jewish ancestry. Complimentary coffee will be provided, and an optional guided tour of the Regional History & Genealogy department resources will follow the class. Register here.

• Penrose Library: Sat., May 11 from 1 – 3 p.m. 

Resources

• Hoopla
  Explore Jewish stories and experiences in eBooks, music, movies, and more.  
• American Jewish Desk Reference
  Learn more about Jewish heritage with this reference book from the American Jewish Historical Society.  
• Kanopy
  Discover films and documentaries celebrating Jewish Americans on Kanopy. 

Regional History and Genealogy Resources (18+) 

• Archival Collections:
  • Mohl Family Photographs (Digital Photograph Collection)
    Leo and Hertha Mohl were long-time residents of Colorado Springs, small business owners, dairy farmers, and world travelers. They were also some of the first European war refugees to live in Colorado Springs.  
    
    Hertha Mohl was born in Vienna, Austria, and worked as a dressmaker until, after almost getting caught passing out anti-Nazi literature, she smuggled herself into England. While living in London, Hertha served in the British Air Raid Precaution Service. Also born in Vienna, Leo Mohl served as secretary of the trade union movement. Leo was taken to concentration camps in Dachau and Buchenwald for his political activities. In 1939, he was released and immigrated to England, where he met Hertha.
    
    The Mohls immigrated to the United States in 1940, eventually making their way to Colorado Springs. They raised dairy cows on farmland that is now owned by the Air Force Academy, operated a bookstore called The Book Home, and owned a reweaving shop called Master Weavers of America.
     
• Various Photographs (from PPLD’s Digital Photograph Collection) Photographs of the Colorado Springs Jewish Community. 
   
• Books from Regional History and Genealogy (Books from Regional History and Genealogy)
  • Exploring Jewish Colorado by Phil Goodstein
  • A Colorado Jewish family album, 1859-1992 by Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society
  • A history of Jewish life in Colorado Springs (DVD – also available for checkout)
  • Getting started in Jewish genealogy by Gary Mokotoff
  • L'chaim: a guide to Jewish genealogical research by Zoe Henry
  • Dr. Charles David Spivak: a Jewish immigrant and the American tuberculosis movement by Jeanne E. Abrams
  • Jewish women pioneering the frontier trail: a history in the American West by Jeanne E. Abrams
  • A guide to the Jewish Rockies, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming by Amy Shapiro

Websites

• Jewish American Heritage Month – Library of Congress
• Jewish American Heritage Month – National Archives
• Jewish American Heritage Month – National Parks Service (National Register of Historic Places)
• Jewish Americans - PBS.  
  Watch clips and outtakes from the 3-part PBS documentary series The Jewish Americans. This collection includes resources for further investigation, lesson plans for high school educators, and opportunities to share your own story. Recommended for high school and older. 
• Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History  
  Go on a virtual tour of many of the fascinating exhibits now available online. 

PPLD is teaming up with Muse Comics & Games to offer Free Comic Book Day comic issues for teens on Sat., May 4. This annual nationwide initiative strives to put comics into the hands of both long-time and new comic fans alike. Comics are available at all PPLD locations during this one-day event while supplies last. 

Free Comic Book Day is an excellent way for teens to discover new comic series to fall in love with. Comic stores across the U.S. celebrate by giving out special Free Comic Book Day issues of comics, which can range from being the first issue of a comic series or short one-off stories of larger series. As a public library, we know that not all teens have a nearby comic store that they can visit for free comics. We are happy to connect teens in our community with free comic issues to add to their personal libraries.  

On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans participated in the first Earth Day to increase awareness about environmental issues around the world. That movement has grown into Earth Month throughout all of April to continue spreading awareness locally and internationally. Learn about Earth Month, environmental issues, and ways to make your life more environmentally friendly through upcycling and recycling with the resources on this page.

Booklists

Adult Books for Earth Month
Earth Month Books for Kids

Resources

• Earth Month Displays at the Library  
  Colorado Springs Utilities is sharing information about wise water usage and conservation with informative displays at several Library locations. You’ll find information about utilities, energy rebates, water-wise planting, water and energy usage tips, and more! Stop by East, Cheyenne, Monument, Old Colorado City, Penrose, and Rockrimmon libraries, as well as Library 21c to learn more.  
• Green Living 
  A curated guide of resources to help you adapt to living a greener lifestyle.
• Learn to Make Reusable Bags at PPLD 
  Struggling with Colorado’s new single-use bag fee? This video has instructions on how to upcycle a t-shirt into a reusable shopping bag. (All ages)
• Create: Bee Gardens
  Learn some techniques to start your very own bee-friendly garden, including planting native wildflowers that attract pollinators, and making a bee bath out of polymer clay. (All ages)
• Create: Visible Mending
  Ripped shirt... throw it away? No way! In this video, you'll learn about visible mending, a technique for fixing up damaged clothes with a little extra flair. (All ages)

Recommended Websites 

• Earth Day – National Archives (all ages)
  A collection of Earth Day resources from the National Archives
• Earth Day - Smithsonian (All ages)
  Learn about Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson and explore exhibitions, resources, and Podcasts that highlight Smithsonian efforts to advance sustainability.