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The history of the Jews in South Florida dates back to the early 19th century. Many South Florida Jews are Ashkenazi (descendants of Russian, Polish, and Eastern European ancestry), and many are also Cuban, Brazilian, Latin American (Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru), Russian, French, Moroccan, Syrian, Bukharian, and Israeli. There is a significant Sephardic and Mizrachi population as well.
Contents
- Key West Florida Jewish history
- West Palm Beach Florida Jewish history
- Miami Florida Jewish history
- Broward County Florida Jewish History
- Miami Beach Florida Jewish History
- Other history
- Jewish religious observance in South Florida
- Orthodox Judaism
- Conservative Judaism
- Reform Judaism
- Reconstructionist Judaism
- Chabad in southern Florida
- Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens
- Chabad of Boca Raton
- Significant South Floridian communities and their Jewish populations
- Prominent South Floridian Jews
- References
Presently, there are approximately 514,000 Jews living in Southeast Florida.
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. B'nai Zion's building was built in 1969, and it adheres to Conservative Judaism, though it has a Liberal slant. In 1895, Jewish Key West residents supported the independence of Cuba from Spain.
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.
Other history
Jewish religious observance in South Florida
There are nearly 189 synagogues and congregations built to serve over 500,000 Jews in South Florida.
Orthodox Judaism
There are approximately 77 Orthodox synagogues and congregations in South Florida.
Conservative Judaism
There are approximately 60 Conservative synagogues and congregations in South Florida. Notable synagogues include The Cuban Hebrew Congregation.
Reform Judaism
There are approximately 40 Reform synagogues and congregations in South Florida. Notable synagogues include Congregation Ahavath Chesed and Temple Beth-El (Pensacola, Florida)
Reconstructionist Judaism
There are three established Reconstructionist synagogues and congregations in South Florida: Congregation Kol Ami (Palm Beach County), Ramat Shalom (Broward County), and Temple Beth Or (Miami-Dade County).
Chabad in southern Florida
Chabad and its affiliated Adult Educational organization The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute are active in Florida.
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.
Chabad of Boca Raton
Chabad of Boca Raton is a Chabad house located in Boca Raton founded in 1989, the present building was erected in 1999. In 1990 city officials permitted it to erect a menorah in Sanborn Square, a city park.