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History of the Jews in South Florida

Jewish community of South Florida From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

History of the Jews in South Florida
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The history of Jews in South Florida dates back to the 19th century. Many South Florida Jews are Ashkenazi (descendants of Russian, Polish, and Eastern European ancestry), and Latin American (Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile). Many are also French, Moroccan, Syrian, Bukharan, and Israeli. There is a significant Sephardic and Mizrahi population as well.

Presently, there are approximately 514,000[1] Jews living in South Florida.[2]

The population of Palm Beach County is 15.8% Jewish. Boca Raton, with an overall population of 100,000 people, has 16 synagogues. With an estimated 70.8% of its 100,000 residents identifying as Jewish in 2023, Boca Raton has one of the highest Jewish[3] population percentages in the United States, reflecting its status as a major Jewish cultural and religious hub in South Florida[4] “My first duty to the taxpayers of Palm Beach County is to make sure that our tax dollars are protected and invested correctly and wisely,” Clerk Abruzzo said. “Israel Bonds are paying a higher rate than our U.S. Treasuries and are just as safe.”

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Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion welcomes an Israel Bonds delegation to Jerusalem.

At Clerk Abruzzo’s direction, Palm Beach County was the first county in the United States to increase its investment in Israel bonds following Hamas’ attack on Israel in early October. The County will earn approximately $83 million in interest off its investments in Israel Bonds, Clerk Abruzzo said. [5]Joseph Abruzzo, clerk of the circuit court and comptroller for Palm Beach County, [6][7]announces a record $135 million purchase of Israel Bonds at Congregation Torah Ohr in Boca Raton, Florida, on Oct. 31st 2023.[8]
In 2024, Palm Beach County, Florida, became the largest global investor in Israel bonds, with a total investment of $700 million. [9] This amount represents 15% of the county's $4.67 billion investment portfolio, which is the maximum allowed under county policy.[10]

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Key West, Florida Jewish history

The exact origins of the Key West Jewish Community are not dated, but Jews were first recorded in the city in the 1880s, when the community was organized by Joe Wolfson, Abraham Wolkowsky and Mendell Rippa. It is believed that most settlers were escaping European persecution at the time. Some early settlers were shipwrecked and decided to make a living in the city. In 1887, Congregation B'nai Zion was founded in Key West, Fl. Morris Zion served as its first president.[11] B'nai Zion's building was built in 1969, and it adheres to Conservative Judaism, though it has a Liberal slant.[12] In 1895, Jewish Key West residents supported the independence of Cuba from Spain.

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West Palm Beach, Florida Jewish history

Jews first settled in the city of West Palm Beach in 1892.

Miami, Florida Jewish history

Jews first permanently settled in the Miami, Florida area in 1896. In 1907, the first bris occurred in Miami-Dade County. It was for Eddie Cohen. In 1913, B'nai Zion, the first congregation in Miami-Dade County, was founded. It later was renamed as Beth David. In 1953, Abe Aronovitz became the first and only Jewish mayor of Miami.

Broward County, Florida Jewish history

In 1910, Louis Brown was the first Jew to settle in Broward County.

Miami Beach, Florida Jewish history

The first Jewish family to settle in Miami Beach was the Weiss family, Joseph and Jennie and their children, in 1913. They later opened Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant. The first congregation in Miami Beach was Beth Jacob, which was formed in 1927. The congregation built the first synagogue in 1929 (now the Jewish Museum of Florida.) In 1943, the first of 16 Jewish mayors of Miami Beach, Mitchell Wolfson, was elected to office.

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Other history

Jewish religious observance in South Florida

As of January 2009, there were nearly 189 synagogues and congregations built to serve over 500,000 Jews in South Florida.[13]

Orthodox Judaism

As of January 2009, there were approximately 77 Orthodox synagogues and congregations in South Florida.[14]

Conservative Judaism

As of November 2008, there were approximately 60 Conservative synagogues and congregations in South Florida.[15] Notable synagogues include The Cuban Hebrew Congregation.

Reform Judaism

As of November 2008, there were approximately 40 Reform synagogues and congregations in South Florida.[15]

Reconstructionist Judaism

As of January 2009, there were three Reconstructionist synagogues and congregations in South Florida: Congregation Kol Ami (Palm Beach County), Ramat Shalom (Broward County), and Temple Beth Or (Miami-Dade County).[16]

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Chabad in southern Florida

Chabad and its affiliated Adult Educational organization The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute are active in Florida.[17][18][19][20]

Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens

Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens aims to bring together the Jewish Community of the greater Palm Beach and Jupiter area and to serve the spiritual, educational and social needs of the community.[21]

Chabad of Boca Raton

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Chabad of Boca Raton, Florida.

Chabad of Boca Raton is a Chabad house located in Boca Raton founded in 1989, the present building was erected in 1999.[22] In 1990 city officials permitted it to erect a menorah in Sanborn Square, a city park.[23][24][25]

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Significant South Floridian communities and their Jewish populations

Prominent South Floridian Jews

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See also

References

Further reading

External links

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