Explore, learn & connect!
Kavod on the Road offers engaging programs for active, older nonresidents living in the greater Denver community. Our team brings exciting events to various partner locations throughout the month. Join us in exploring new horizons, building connections and enjoying enriching experiences right in your community!
Advanced registration is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows, in the order they arrive.
August
The Jew Who Would Be King: A True Story of Shipwreck, Survival, and Scandal in Victorian Africa
Wednesday, August 13 from 11:00am – 12:00pm
at Temple Emanuel
Cost: $5
Presenter: Dr. Adam Rovner, University of Denver, Judaic Studies
The Jew Who Would Be King tells the story of Nathaniel Isaacs—a nineteenth-century British Jew who helped establish the Zulu kingdom only to become a ruthless warlord and slaveholder. Isaacs’ thrilling journey begins with his shipwreck on the shores of Zululand and proceeds to ports across West Africa, including Freetown, Sierra Leone. There, tasked by the colonial governor to end the local slave trade, Isaacs brokered deals that reinforced his own power.
Adam Rovner’s meticulous archival research in England, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and St. Helena, coupled with his own travels to the remnants of Isaacs’ island stronghold in Guinea, brings this complex figure to life. Through Isaacs’ story, Rovner exposes the entangled forces of Jewish emancipation and antisemitism, slavery and abolition, the stark dichotomies of civilization and “savagery,” and the creation of whiteness versus blackness.
Advanced registration and payment required.
Stories from Denver’s Jewish Consumptive Relief Society
Wednesday, August 20 from 1:00 – 2:00pm
at JCC Denver
Cost: $5
Presenter: Josh Furman, Director of Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society at the University of Denver
Take a compelling look into the history of the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society (JCRS), a groundbreaking institution founded in 1904 to care for Jewish tuberculosis patients. Located in Denver, it became a beacon of hope for thousands who came seeking treatment in Colorado’s dry climate.
Through personal stories, historical photos, and archival materials, this program explores the human side of the sanatorium movement—highlighting the resilience of patients, the dedication of caregivers, and the community-wide effort to provide dignity, healing, and support during one of the most challenging public health crises of the early 20th century.
Discover how JCRS shaped Jewish life in Denver, contributed to the fight against tuberculosis, and left a legacy that still resonates today.
Advanced registration and payment required.
Writing the Legal Thriller: From Practice to Plot
Tuesday, August 26 from 1:00 – 2:00pm
at Hebrew Educational Alliance
Cost: $5
Presenter: Mark Shaiken, author and attorney
After four decades practicing commercial bankruptcy law, Mark Shaiken stepped away from the courtroom to pursue a life of writing, reflection, and reinvention. He is the author of the 3J Legal Thriller Series, a four-book saga (so far) that blends legal drama with American history and jazz. At its center is Josephina Jillian Jones—“3J”—a compelling Black woman bankruptcy attorney navigating truth, justice, and systemic inequities alongside her mentor, William Pascale.
In this engaging talk, Mark shares his journey from lawyer to novelist, offering insights into creative reinvention, his writing process, and how fiction—particularly the legal thriller—can shine a light on pressing social issues. Topics explored in his books and discussion include hate and white nationalism, mental health, greed, discrimination, redlining, and aging.
Advanced registration and payment required.
REGISTRATION & WAITLIST CLOSED: Tour and Lunch at Zion Baptist Church
Due to the popularity of this trip, it is currently at capacity and registration is closed. The waitlist is also closed.
Wednesday, August 27 from 11:00am – 1:00pm
Pick up and drop off at the JCC Denver
No cost thanks to the Theodore and Maxine Murnick Family Foundation
Join us for a meaningful visit to Zion Baptist Church, the oldest African American congregation in Colorado, founded in 1865. Located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, Zion Baptist Church has played a vital role in the spiritual, cultural, and civil rights life of the city for over 150 years.
During our visit, we will:
Tour the historic sanctuary, a striking Romanesque Revival structure built in the early 20th century
Hear about the church’s founding by freedmen, its impact on Denver’s African American community, and its ongoing ministries
Learn about key moments in civil rights history, including Zion’s role in hosting the first NAACP meetings in Denver
Reflect on the intersection of faith, justice, and community in shaping the legacy of this enduring institution
This visit offers a powerful opportunity to learn about and connect with a cornerstone of Black history in Colorado.
Limited space available.
If you require a caretaker, please register that person, too.
Advanced registration required.
September
Koi Vey: Japanese Jewry in Pagodaland
Thursday, September 4 from 1:00 – 2:00pm
at BMH-BJ
Cost: $5
Presenter: Rabbi Eliot Baskin
After learning to bow the Barchu, we’ll journey through five centuries of Jewish history in Japan — the land of Shinto shrines and Buddhist pagodas. Discover how small Jewish communities took root in port cities, how merchants and refugees navigated cultural exchange, and the surprising connections between Jewish We’ll reflect on how Jewish life flourished in a setting so different from its origins, yet found familiar rhythms of faith, community, and identity.
Advanced registration and payment required.
The Gentle Revolutionary: Camille Pissarro
Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 11am – 12pm
at Temple Emanuel
Cost: $5
Presenter: Presenter: Jack Kunin, Art Appraiser & Expert
Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) was a pioneering force in the Impressionist movement, admired for his masterful use of light, color, and atmosphere. Often called the “Father of Impressionism,” Pissarro was both a mentor and collaborator to artists such as Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin. His paintings captured the rhythms of rural life, bustling city streets, and the changing seasons with warmth and sensitivity.
This program explores Pissarro’s artistic journey—from his early influences to his central role in shaping one of the most beloved art movements in history. We’ll also offer an overview of the art and Jewish background of both Camille and his son Lucien, whose own work and ideas extended the family’s creative legacy. Through vivid images and engaging stories, we’ll discover how Pissarro’s innovative vision and heritage left an indelible mark on the world of art.
Advanced registration and payment required.
From Handel to Halvorsen: A Journey in Twelve Variations
Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 1 – 2pm
at Hebrew Educational Alliance
Cost: $5
Musicians: Erik Peterson, violinist, and Barbara Thiem, celloist
Johan Halvorsen (1864–1935) was a leading figure in Norwegian music and known for his many talents as a composer, conductor, and violinist. He worked in theaters and concert halls across Europe and was especially admired in his home country.
One of his most famous pieces, Passacaglia, is a dramatic and exciting duet for two string instruments. Halvorsen based it on a melody by the famous Baroque composer Handel, then added his own flair, creating a piece full of energy, emotion, and technical brilliance. Originally written for violin and viola, it’s often performed today with a cello for added depth.
The work takes the audience on a musical journey through 12 variations on a single theme, showing off a wide range of sounds, moods, and surprises along the way.
Advanced registration and payment required.
Grooves and Graphics: The Art of the Family Dog Denver
Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1 – 2pm
at JCC Denver
Presenter: Scott Montgomery, Professor of Art History, University of Denver
This talk examines the art and history of the Family Dog Denver – a hippie concert venue open from September 1967 to July 1968. In addition to bringing legendary bands (The Doors, Grateful Dead, etc) to the small venue on West Evans, the Family Dog Denver spawned some superb manifestations of the psychedelic poster movement. Emphasizing the poster art, this talk tells the story of the Family Dog Denver
Advanced registration required.
Bridging Diversity Trip to Downtown Denver Islamic Center and Lunch
Thursday, September 18 from 11am – 1pm
Pick up and drop off at the JCC Denver
No cost thanks to the Theodore and Maxine Murnick Family Foundation
Join us for a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and build understanding across cultures and faiths. Our visit to the Downtown Denver Islamic Center — founded in 1964 as the first mosque in Colorado — will include a guided tour of the prayer hall, an introduction to Islamic beliefs and practices, and time for thoughtful Q&A with community members. We’ll learn about the Center’s role as a spiritual home and cultural hub for Denver’s Muslim community, as well as its ongoing efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and community service.
Limited space available.
If you normally require caregiving, your caregiver must register and accompany you on this trip.
Advanced registration required.
While we are unable to provide transportation to and from our events, we’ve compiled a list of options to help you get there [click here].
Register for a Kavod on the Road Program
Kavod on the Road Partners
