South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Meet Neil Keller, collector of Jewish memorabilia
Did you know Marilyn Monroe was Jewish? This week marks 60 years since her death, but when the topic of famous Jewish people comes up in conversation, likely her name rarely comes up.
Marilyn chose to become Jewish upon her marriage in 1956 to the playwright Arthur Miller, himself a Jew. She took the decision seriously, studying Judaic texts with the Miller family’s rabbi, Robert. E. Goldburg.
Need proof? Ask Neil Keller of Delray Beach. Among the 22,000 Jewish memorabilia items in his collection is a copy of Marilyn’s conversion certificate.
“I moved to Florida in May of 2021 from Maryland. I got rid of my furniture, but brought my collection,” Neil said.
“Stored in binders I have trading cards, photographs, matchbook covers, pins, autographs and more from some of the most famous Jewish people.”
Neil’s collection covers every sport including baseball, basketball, football, boxing, hockey and tennis. Other categories include entertainment, the Holocaust and politics.
I asked Neil, “What classifies someone as being Jewish in your collection?”
“At least one of the person’s parents is Jewish and the person identifies himself as being Jewish. Converts are also included. That’s how Marilyn Monroe made it in.”
Sandy Koufax, the Hall of Fame pitcher who played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, and famously refused to play in a World Series game because it took place on Yom Kippur, graces the baseball card that started the collection.
“It was in a Georgetown flea market in 1986 that I found a 1961 Topps Sandy Koufax card. That keepsake was the beginning for me,” Neil said. “I started writing letters to people and most of them would send back signed photographs or cards. Over the years my collection just continued to grow.”
“Following an article about me published in The Washington Post in 1997, the exposure I received helped me connect with famous Jewish people from around the world. I went the extra mile to meet people.”
“One of my most cherished memories is attending a Spring Training Game in Vero Beach with Koufax. A photo from that day is featured on my website.”
I asked Neil, “Who stands out as the most memorable celebrity you have met?”
“I would say Sid Luckman, who was a quarterback with the Chicago Bears and led them to four NFL championships.”
“He treated me like a grandson and invited me to his home in Aventura. He gave me one of his personalized neck ties.”
One of Neil’s favorite items is a photograph of New York Knick Ossie Schectman.
“Ossie is credited with having scored the first basket in the history of the NBA,” Neil announces gleefully.
Sports figures are included in Neil’s Holocaust collection.
“Young Perez and Kid Francis were notable boxers that were murdered by the Nazis. They are two of the most well-known names among my Holocaust items.”
“Kid was sent to Auschwitz where he was forced to box for the entertainment of Nazi officers. He was killed there in 1943. Young was the World Flyweight Champion. He was shot by a guard at Gleiwitz concentration camp in Poland in January 1945.”
“I would like to donate some of my pieces to Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.”
“People are amazed to hear who’s Jewish,” Neil said.
Non-sports figures in the collection include Lorne Greene of “Bonanza” fame, Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner who starred in “Star Trek” and Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley, Anson Williams and Don Most from “Happy Days.”
Mention any celebrity and Neil is eager to share a story or show you an item from his collection.
“I collect Jewish people whether they are good or bad.”
“Basically my collection is the history of Judaism.”
Visit Neil’s website at neilkeller.com to view videos and items in his collection.