Jordan Bennett Salzman loves history, and she has found a home at the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society as project manager. The 33-year-old married Adam Salzman (featured for his work with Adventure EXP in the IJN Rosh Hashanah edition, Sept. 11).
The Cleveland, Ohio, native moved to Denver in 2018. Since then, the couple has also lived in Leadville and Georgetown and moved back to Denver in 2024.
Curating Jewish history excites you?
I love being able to uncover stories that might otherwise be forgotten and make them accessible to people today. Colorado Jewish history is full of stories of resilience, community and people who helped shape the places we live.
I’m especially excited about finding ways to connect those stories to younger generations and helping people see how Jewish history is part of Colorado’s broader history.
What were you doing before you joined RMHS?
I studied anthropology and museum and heritage studies, earning my bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and my master’s degree from DU. I went on to work as the curator at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, then as director of the Summit Historical Society in Dillon.
Eventually, we moved back to Denver to be closer to family, friends and our Jewish community, which led me to RMJHS.
I’m now working toward the creation of the Digital Encyclopedia of Colorado Jewish Communities, a statewide public history initiative that brings together archival materials, oral histories, timelines and local stories to make Colorado’s Jewish history accessible to educators, students, researchers and communities across the state.
Why be Jewish?
Being Jewish is about belonging to a community with a deep sense of history, tradition and responsibility to one another.
I love the way Jewish life connects generations, whether through holidays, family traditions, or gathering around the Shabbat table. It’s a way of feeling connected to something much bigger than myself while continuing to build that legacy for the future.
Who has been an inspiring figure in your life?
Two of my grandparents, my late grandmother Esther on one side and my late grandfather Allen on the other.
My grandmother Esther welcomed my questions about our family history and helped me build family trees as I researched our ancestry on Ancestry.com.
My grandfather Allen wrote an autobiography to share his life story with his children and grandchildren.
I think their efforts to preserve our family’s stories helped shape my own interest in history and instilled in me the importance of making sure those stories aren’t lost.
What book are you reading, or one last read?
I’m reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I love a good mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. This book came highly recommended from a childhood friend.
TV series?
I don’t watch many TV series, but I really enjoy historical drama movies. Think “The Imitation Game,” “Historical Figures” and “Woman in Gold.”
What do you do in your spare time?
I love getting outside and enjoying everything Colorado has to offer, especially hiking, camping and mountain biking. I also enjoy cooking and hosting Friday night dinners and spending time with family and friends.
Guilty pleasure?
Getting invested in competition shows like “Survivor” and “Hell’s Kitchen” and convincing myself I could do just as well as the contestants.
What is your favorite spot to go to in Colorado?
While living in Leadville, Adam and I discovered an epic camping spot that has all of our favorite criteria — amazing views, water, plenty of firewood and seclusion. I won’t reveal where it is, but this site is by far my favorite place in Colorado.
What does home life look like?
Adam and I have one dog, Athens, named after the town where Ohio University is and where Adam and I both attended and met.
© IJN 2026