1. Florida Jewish History Month
“The Many Cultures of Florida's
Jewish Community”
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Curriculum and Instruction
Division of Social Sciences and Life Skills
January 2012

2. THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice-Chair
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Mr. Carlos L. Curbelo
Mr. Renier Diaz de la Portilla
Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway
Dr. Martin S. Karp
Dr. Marta Pérez
Ms. Raquel A. Regalado
Ms. Hope Wilcox
Student Advisor
Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Milagros R. Fornell
Associate Superintendent
Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Maria P. de Armas
Assistant Superintendent
Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Core Curriculum
Mr. John R. Doyle
Administrative Director
Division of Social Sciences and Life Skills
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3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In October of 2003, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed a historic bill into law designating
January of each year as Florida Jewish History Month. The legislation for Florida
Jewish History Month was initiated at the Jewish Museum of Florida by Marcia Zerivitz,
the Museum's Founding Executive Director and Chief Curator. Ms. Zerivitz and State
Senator Gwen Margolis worked closely with legislators to translate the Museum's
mission into a statewide observance. It seemed appropriate to honor Jewish
contributions to the State, as sixteen percent, over 850,000 people of the American
Jewish community lives in Florida.
Since 1763, when the first Jews settled in Pensacola immediately after the Treaty of
Paris ceded Florida to Great Britain from Spain, Jews had come to Florida to escape
persecution, for economic opportunity, to join family members already here, for the
climate and lifestyle, for their health and to retire. It is a common belief that Florida
Jewish history began after World War II, but in actuality, the history of Floridian Jews
begins much earlier. The largest number of Jews settled in Florida after World War II,
but the Jewish community in Florida reaches much further into the history of this State
than simply the last half-century. Jews have actively participated in shaping the destiny
of Florida since its inception, but until research of the 1980s, most of the facts were
little-known. One such fact is that David Levy Yulee, a Jewish pioneer, brought Florida
into statehood in 1845, served as its first U.S. senator and was the first person of
Jewish ancestry to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Floridian Jews have contributed greatly to the development of the entire state, but in
recent history much of the Jewish community’s involvement has been primarily within
southeast Florida. The earliest known permanent Jewish settler in Miami was Isidor
Cohen, a signatory of the city's charter. He helped found many civic organizations, as
well as Jewish organizations. The heartbreak of the Holocaust came close to home for
the Jews of Miami Beach, who experienced a feeling of helplessness when the S.S. St.
Louis, a ship filled with Jews fleeing Hitler and Nazism, was denied permission to
anchor there in June 1939. The American government of the time refused to allow the
St. Louis to land its human cargo on the shores of south Florida. The steamer anchored
for two hours within sight of Miami Beach.
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4. The Jewish populace of Miami has worked hard to help develop their community.
Today, Miami is the nation's ninth largest Jewish community and continues to grow in
population and cohesive strength. Palm Beach County is host to Florida's largest Jewish
population in the state, Broward County the second largest and Miami-Dade is third in
number.
Throughout the history of the State, and like other groups, Jewish people have actively
participated in shaping the destiny and direction of Florida at its roots. In 250 years, the
Jewish community of Florida has left their indelible footprints across the entire state.
Floridian Jews have served in every U.S. war, and have been prominent in the cattle,
citrus, tomato and tobacco industries, to name a few. Diverse cultures have enriched
the state of Florida since its earliest days and Florida’s Jewish communities have
become an integral part of the state and its history. Jewish History Month is a time to
learn about the rich tapestry of Jewish life here. Since 1763, Jews have been involved
in enhancing the lives and dreams of all Floridians. Florida Jewish History Month
celebrates these accomplishments.
Florida Jewish History Month has been so successful since its establishment that it
inspired the legislation for Jewish American Heritage Month, which is observed in May
with a Proclamation signed by President George W. Bush in April, 2006. The
Proclamation states that “The faith and hard work of Jewish Americans have played an
integral role in shaping the cultural fabric of America. During Jewish American Heritage
Month, we celebrate the vital contributions of Jewish Americans to our Nation.
Throughout our history, Jewish Americans have contributed to the strength of our
country and the preservation of our values. The talent and imagination of these citizens
have helped our Nation prosper.”
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5. STUDY GUIDE
The Many Cultures of Florida's Jewish Community
Part I: Research
Using the Internet and other resources in your classroom and media center, research
for Part II activities, writing, and discussion the following:
1. Who are the Jews as a people? What is Judaism as a culture? What does it mean to
be Jewish?
2. Research the Hispanic Jewish community in South Florida. Are there any Spanish-
speaking synagogues in Florida? Which Latin American countries are represented in
Florida's Hispanic Jewish community?
3. Research outstanding women of the Jewish multicultural community of South Florida.
Name at least 5 who you feel deserve noted recognition and know what their
contributions are.
4. Research the Jewish immigrant experience in the early 20th Century compared to the
Jewish immigrant experience now. Focus your research on Jewish immigrants who
have come to Florida. What about their experience is the same? What has changed?
Does culture seem to impact an emigration experience more now?
5. In January 2012, the Miami Jewish community will hold its annual Jewish Film
Festival. Go online to www.miamijewishfilmfestival.com and find 3 films that are being
shown at the festival that celebrate the rich multicultural Jewish heritage. Present a
report to your fellow classmates. Plan a field trip to see one of the films.
6. How does Florida's rich cultural diversity create opportunities for the Jewish
community here to flourish? Specifically focus your research on the arts. How is art, in
all its many forms, a celebration of culture? Research why it is important for Florida’s
Jewish community to be involved in the arts as an extension of their culture.
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6. 7. Research the theme of exile among the various Jewish communities in Florida. Exile
has been a recurrent theme in Jewish history. How does the theme express itself
among Hispanic Jews? Look at the lives and experiences of local Hispanic Jewish
persons, such as Cuban Jewish writer, Ruth Behar. How does her work and life relate to
exile? Also research Operation Pedro Pan; there were many Cuban Jewish children
who came to Florida in the early 1960’s.
8. Music is a very important aspect of any cultural heritage, and Florida's tapestry of
cultures creates opportunities for Jewish musicians to explore their history further.
Research the art of Jewish Klezmer music and its origins and presence in the music
scene of Florida arts. Present your findings to the class. For example, you could
research the life of jazz artist Yehonatan Elazar, and his contributions in Miami in the
field of Jewish Music.
9. Research the meaning of the term kosher. What does it mean to be kosher? Then
take your research a step further and research the different types of kosher restaurants
here in Florida that are as diverse as its people. You will discover Russian, Eastern
European, Asian, South American and American cuisines are all represented among
kosher restaurants in Florida. Center your research around the variety of these
restaurants among the Jewish community in Florida.
10. Florida’s Jewish population has contributed to every area of society: mathematics
and science, politics, medicine, law, philanthropy, education, music, and the arts.
Examples of notable Jewish Floridians are: Florida's first Senator, David Levy Yulee; Dr.
Marc Agronin, geriatric psychiatrist; music journalist Scott Benarde; Chilean poet David
Turkeltaub; philanthropist Irving Moskowitz; and mathematician Stanislaw Ulam.
Research to other noted Jewish Floridians and the major contributions that these
important figures have made to Florida and the world.
11. Research the life and works of South Florida conductor and New World Symphony
Founding Director, Michael Tilson Thomas. How has his work and life impacted the arts
in Florida? Focus your research on three specific things that he has done to promote
the arts in South Florida.
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7. 12. Research the role of Latin American Jews in politics in Florida. Are there any local
politicians that are both Hispanic and Jewish? What impact and contributions have
these politicians had on local, state and national politics?
Part II: Reflect, Write, Create
The following activities are based on the research completed concerning Florida’s
many Jewish Cultures.
1. Interview local Jewish immigrants from three different countries/regions, such as
Russia, South America and Cuba, on their experiences living in Florida. Use your earlier
research to formulate your questions for them. Has the diversity here in Florida helped
them in any way? Following your research, develop a poster board summarizing your
findings and put it on display in the class.
2. Using your earlier research, write an essay comparing/contrasting the Jewish
immigrant experience in the early 20th Century to the Jewish immigrant experience of
today. Choose three areas of the lives and cultures of these immigrants to highlight for
your compare and contrast paper.
3. Imagine that you are a Jewish immigrant coming to Florida to live from another
country. How does it feel? What is your life like here, compared to your native country?
Using your earlier research, write several “journal” entries about your new life in
America. Discuss the challenges you might face as an emigrant, as well important
opportunities you might have in your new life.
4. After choosing a local Hispanic Jewish writer, artist or musician to research, write an
in-depth profile of that person's life and work, outlining why you think their experiences
and work is important. Present your findings about that person to the class.
5. Using photos and short captions, create a Power Point presentation highlighting the
musicians and artists you researched earlier. You can take it a step further, and have a
class celebration of dance and music! Bring at least two songs by Jewish musicians
and/or several clips of Jewish dancers performing presenting your selections along with
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8. a short information session on who they are and why you chose their pieces.
6. In your research you discovered that there are many different Jewish culture groups,
each with its own language and representation of Jewish identity within the larger
culture. Many Jewish residents of Florida have come here from other countries, bringing
their own particular flavor of Jewish identity with them. How do these Jews find their
sense of community here in Florida after leaving their homeland? Collaborate with your
school’s art teacher to create a class collage using magazine clippings, photos, art
pieces and other mixed-media that represents the Jewish community and its many
facets. Put the collage on display in your school’s common area.
7. Invite members of the local Hispanic Jewish community to come to your school and
give a presentation on what their culture means to them. Hold a school-wide assembly
for these guests to speak, so that your school can also learn and celebrate Florida
Jewish History Month.
8. In the spirit of the many great Florida Jewish philanthropists, and in honor of Florida
Jewish History Month, choose a day when the class collectively gives back to the local
community through community service. Some examples of this would be: litter clean-up,
collecting food for a food bank, holding a bake sale and donating the proceeds to
charity, or serving at a local Jewish senior center.
9. Language is a very important way of communicating identity. Among the Jewish
community in Florida, there are nearly as many languages represented as there are
countries. How does speaking another language present both challenges and
opportunities for people who have come here? Why is language so important? Is it
possible to communicate different ideas more easily in one language over another?
Drawing upon your answers to these questions and focusing on the importance of
language, find a saying in your native language that holds special meaning to you. Write
the saying in large letters on a poster board. Then decorate the board with images that
represent the "heart" of the saying. Bring the board to class and present it to your
classmates. Be certain to include a translation of the saying, if necessary.
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9. 10. Have a class meal! In order to understand more about how culture and food go
hand-in-hand, have everyone in class bring a dish of special significance to them and
their culture. Incorporate a couple of kosher dishes so that the students can learn more
about the culinary aspect of Jewish life. Then share the dishes and stories about each
one.
11. After researching the arts of the Hispanic Jewish community, the Russian Jewish
community, and the American Jewish community, write a compare/contrast essay
highlighting several discoveries you made about the arts relative to each group’s
culture. Also choose an artistic piece from each group to present to the class along with
your essay. Explain why you feel each piece is important relative to the culture it
represents.
12. Invite a local Hispanic Jewish politician to come speak to your class. Have students
in your class research the guest before hand and then prepare questions related to his
or her work in the community and what he or she would like your generation to do to
make his or her work as a representative in the Florida more meaningful. Use the
guest’s answers as a basis for your class to work on as a community service project for
the rest of the school year.
13. Florida is the home of many Polish Jews who settled here after the Holocaust. An
important program is on exhibit in 2012 at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami
Beach. Go online to www.jewishmuseum.com and research about the exhibit on Polish
Synagogues. Explain to the class the connection of the importance of the saved Polish
synagogues during the Holocaust to the Jewish Holocaust survivors of Poland living in
our community today. Plan a visit with your teacher and classroom to this very important
exhibit at the Jewish Museum.
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10. RESOURCES & WEBOGRAPHY
Bureau of Historical Preservation
Florida Department of State, 4th Floor
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
800-847-7278
www.flheritage.com
HistoryMiami (formerly the Historical Museum of Southern Florida)
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, Florida 33130
305-375-1492
www.historymiami.org
Jewish Museum of Florida
301 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305-672-5044
www.jewishmuseum.com
Tampa Bay History Center
225 South Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
813-228-0097
www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
University of Miami
Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies
P.O. Box 248161
Coral Gables, Florida 33124
305-284-6882
www.miami.edu/miller-center
Jewish Community Services of South Florida
18999 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 200
Miami, FL 33180-2814
305-933-9820
www.jscfl.org
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11. The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, adheres to a policy of
nondiscrimination in employment and educational programs/activities and
programs/activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of
Education, and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color,
religion, or national origin.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment
on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of
gender.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended - prohibits
discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended - prohibits sex discrimination in payment of wages
to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals
with disabilities in employment, public service, public accommodations and
telecommunications.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide
up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and
medical reasons.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment on the
basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Florida Educational Equity Act (FEEA) - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender,
national origin, marital status, or handicap against a student or employee.
Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 - secures for all individuals within the state freedom from
discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital
status.
School Board Rules 6Gx13- 4A-1.01, 6Gx13- 4A-1.32, and 6Gx13- 5D-1.10 - prohibit
harassment and/or discrimination against a student or employee on the basis of gender,
race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, political beliefs, marital status, age, sexual
orientation, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, or disability.
Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L. 93-508 (Federal Law) and
Section 295.07 (Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment.
Revised 5/9/03