Jewish South Florida: A History and Guide to Neighborhoods, Synagogues, and Eateries

Kehila Kedosha Janina Book Presentation
School Library Journal Review for Lillian Wald Book

Jewish South Florida: A History and Guide to Neighborhoods, Synagogues, and Eateries

Published by Pelican Publishing


J ewish South Florida: A History and Guide to Neighborhoods, Synagogues, and Eateries is a hybrid of history and cultural travel. The book presents an overview of Jewish history in Florida from 1763 to the present. It tells the story of Miami Beach's founding, its rampant land speculation, subsequent bust and development over the 20th century. It provides color to the first Jewish settlers in Miami Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach and profiles key Jewish Floridians to the present explaining their impact.
The travel portion tells the little known stories behind many key synagogues, delis, bakeries, community centers, and performance centers by county in South Florida, making it a valuable resource for both residents and tourists. Places covered include the Jewish Museum of Florida, Miami Beach Preservation League, Rascals, Wolfies, Holocaust Memorial, old Jewish downtown Miami, Holocaust Documentation Center in Fort Lauderdale, and weekly film screenings in Palm Beach. All in, about 100 venues primarily of Jewish interest are explained. The book contains interviews with historians, tour guides, curators, shop owners, rabbis, and programming directors. The book includes about 60 vintage and contemporary photos