Historical research compiled by Bernard Israelite Kouchel initially in 1991-1992 when he chaired the Broward County Research Committee for "MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida," the organization that is now the Jewish Museum of Florida.

This timeline begins with some of the formative events in Florida history and then focuses on the story of Broward's Jewish history, from early settlers to people who are an integral part of the county's culture and commerce today. It is dedicated to the pioneers who shaped the communities in which we live today.

The beginnings of it all:

The first historic peoples are the Tequesta Indian Tribe who inhabited south Florida from approximately 400 B.C. to 1700 A.D. They lived on the beaches, around the mouths of rivers, inlets and the Everglades. (The Tequesta buried their dead in specially built mounds. A historically-significant mound exists near the 14th hole at the Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club.)

1513

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida—is met by Tequesta tribe. He sets up the first colony in 1521.

1565

St. Augustine founded by Spanish conquistadors. (Today it is the oldest, continuously-occupied settlement of European origin in North America.)

1654

Twenty-three Sephardic Jews seeking sanctuary from the Spanish Inquisition leave Recife, Brazil for New Amsterdam (present-day New York City), where they form the first Jewish community on North American soil.

1763

By now, the last of the Tequesta are gone. England acquires Florida from the Spanish.

Jewish history in Florida begins with the arrival of Alexander Solomons, Joseph de Palacios and Samuel Israel in Pensacola. Later, Jews trickle in to Tallahassee and St. Augustine.

1776

On July 4th, a new nation is born as the Congress formally endorses the United States Declaration of Independence.

1783

Spain regains control of all of Florida.

c. 1792

Surles and Frankee Lewis, who came from the Bahamas, are the first permanent, non-native residents. They settle on the New River, on land that later becomes much of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

1821

Spain sells Florida to the United States for 5 million dollars. Settlers pour in from neighboring states, settling especially in the area around the newly-founded capital of Tallahassee. More Jews are free to move to Florida.

Moses Elias Levy purchases 53,000 acres of land in northeast Florida. Levy believes that Florida could be a new Zion—a home for the persecuted Jews of Europe. (His vision has become a reality. South Florida now has the third largest concentration of Jewish population in the United States.)

The Seminoles arrive here in the early 1820s, along with a few white planters who set up along the river.

1838

Major William Lauderdale in the Second Seminole War leads a detachment of Tennessee Volunteers to do battle with the elusive Seminoles. They establish a post, later given his name, on the New River.

1841

David Levy Yulee, son of Moses Elias Levy, is elected territorial delegate to Congress for Florida (1841-1845) and United States Senator for Florida (1845-1851). He was the first Jew to serve in Congress and the first Jew to serve in the U.S. Senate.

1845

On March 3rd, Florida is admitted into the Union as the 27th state. Fewer than 100 Jews live among its 66,500 people. (5)

1857

When 6 Jews die of Yellow Fever, the Jacksonville Hebrew Cemetery is founded. It is Florida's first organization formed by a Jewish community. Until Jewish cemeteries were established in Florida, remains were shipped out of state for ritual burial.

1861-1865

The Civil War Years: After Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, proslavery sentiment in Florida led the state to secede from the Union in 1861 and join the Confederacy.

1876

Temple Beth El is founded in Pensacola, making it the first Jewish congregation in the state. By 1900, six other congregations are established.

1882

South Florida at this time is largely an uninhabited frontier. The population center of Broward is Pine Island, west of present day Davie, with 25 to 30 Seminole families who cultivate gardens and roam the Everglades in search of game. (1)

1890

The U.S. Census lists only 861 people from St. Lucie south to the Keys. The Coast Line Canal (now the Intercoastal Waterway) is cleared from Jupiter to Biscayne Bay, bringing the region its first link with the "outside." (2)

1893

Bay Stage Line links Lake Worth with Lemon City (Miami), operating on a shell rock road. Passengers on the two-day stagecoach trip make overnight stop at the New River camp. Frank Stranahan, first permanent white settler, is hired to run both the overnight camp for the stage and the New River Ferry at Tarpon Bend. This campsite 18 years later grows to become Fort Lauderdale. (1)

1896

Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad opens to Miami, linking the entire Florida east coast. (2) Broward is considered a watery wasteland with much of its land in the glades.

The first permanent Jewish settlers arrive in the Miami area.

1902

American Jewish Year Book reports that there are five towns in Florida with one or more Jewish institutions. The estimates of the Jewish population of the state range from 2500 to 4500.

1904

Dania (now Dania Beach) becomes the area's first incorporated community, followed by Pompano in 1908. (1)

1909

Florida's Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward begins draining the swamps. (4)

1910

The first known Jewish settler in Broward County: Russian immigrant Louis Brown (Braun) on a train journey from Jacksonville settles in Dania, a rural community known for its tomato farms and packing houses. He opens Brown's Department Store on Main Street (now U.S. 1). Later, he weds Sarah Sokolow of New York...brother-in-law David Sokolow joins with him in business...David weds Gussie Rubinstein. (2a)

1911

A former campsite, the Pioneer Village of Fort Lauderdale, population 250, is incorporated as a town. (2)

1912

Dixie Highway, the only road to Miami, is widened from a 7-foot trail to 12 feet. (2) The first national motor road uniting north and south, it spurs the improvement and development of communities up and down its length. (Henry Ford introduced his low-priced, highly-efficient Model T in 1908.)

The Ft. Lauderdale Ice & Electric Company provides the first electrical output and the Ft. Lauderdale telephone company begins its existence. (2)

1915

Broward County, named after former Florida governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, is created from portions of Dade and Palm Beach counties. (1)

About 55 Jews live in Miami. (5)

1916

The first known Jewish wedding in the Miami community in 1913 is that of Max Lehrman and Rose Seitlin. In 1916, with daughters Nell (b. 1914) and Anne (b. 1915), they settle in Ft. Lauderdale and open a dry-goods store. Their children Sarah (b. 1918) and Abe (b. 1919) are the first known Jewish children born in Broward County. (5)

Max Lehrman opens dry-goods shop in one room, the following year expands to second room. (6)

1917

The United States declares war on Germany (April 6th) and her allies and enters a conflict (WWI) that has raged since August 1914.

World War I Draft Registration for Broward County lists three Jewish residents—Louis Brown b. 1886, Max Lehrman b. 1882 and Dave Sokolow b. 1896.

When the Miami area's Jewish population was first listed in the American Jewish Year Book for 1917, the figure was 175. (3)

Las Olas bridge opens, allowing cars access to the beach. (2)

The City of Fort Lauderdale purchases Evergreen Cemetery (Fort Lauderdale's oldest intact cemetery, estab. 1910), burial place for early residents of Fort Lauderdale.

1918

In the first Fort Lauderdale City Directory, there is only 1 Jewish business listing in town—Lehrman Max and Rosa, Free and Lehrman, on Andrews Avenue North under classification Clothing, with shop at their home. (7)

1920

Broward County population 5,135. (70a)

[Max] Lehrman's Department Store advertises dry goods, clothing, millinery, etc. and the opening of a dressmaking department in his store on Andrews Ave. He hires Miss Mims of Burdine & Quartermaster Store at Miami as manager. (6)

1922

Temple Israel becomes the first synagogue in Palm Beach County. Real estate boom draws inhabitants. When Brooklyn native Moe Katz, arrives to sell real estate, there are 7 (?) Jewish families in Fort Lauderdale. (8)

1924

Moe Katz buys building on Brickell Avenue. Brother Mack opens (Oct. 11th) Ft. Lauderdale's first woman's clothing store, "Mack's Ladies Shop," on the lower floor, while Moe opens real estate office upstairs. Moe later receives the first real estate license ever to be issued in the State of Florida. (8,9)

1925

The Robbins family settles in Fort Lauderdale. There are 5 (?) Jewish families in the area and they all know each other. Downtown Jewish merchants now include Robbins Men's Store (Archie and Molly), The Ft. Lauderdale Shoe Store (Abe and Mollie Newman), Mack's Ladies Shop (Mack and Sadye Katz) and Estelle's (Dave and Estelle Blume), "The finest dress shop in town." (10)

Municipalities of Hollywood, Deerfield, Davie and Floranada incorporate. (1)

Bernard Feldman settles in Fort Lauderdale and later opens "Bernie's Shoe Store." He builds it into a thriving business, later known as "Butler Shoe Corp.," a national chain. (11)

At the height of the land boom, several hundred Jewish inhabitants live in Fort Lauderdale. (8)

1920s-1930s

Early Jewish merchants in downtown Hollywood include Lee's Men's Shop (Lee Jaffee), Nat Allen's ladies shops, Brown's Department Store (Earl Brown), Ben Mazur and Jack's Slack Shop. (11a)

1926

The Great Depression: Land boom bursts in spring. Speculators have wrecked land values. Jobs vanish. (12)

Sam Horvitz, president of Highway Construction of Ohio, founds Hollywood, Inc., the single largest private property owner and developer of Hollywood. Land holdings are acquired from the bankrupted J.W. Young companies, founder of Hollywood. (13)

Fort Lauderdale committee forms. Initial religious services are held in a second floor room over restaurant on Friday evening, September 17th. A few hours later, the hurricane of 1926 demolishes the community and its hopes for a temple. (8)

A monster Category 4 hurricane, spanning 500 miles, packing 150-mph winds, catches south Florida by surprise. Less than 500 people stay in Ft. Lauderdale; more than 8000 flee. (14) It hits Fort Lauderdale, Dania, Hollywood, Hallandale and Miami. No storm in previous history has done as much property damage. The death toll is 8 in Fort Lauderdale, 25 in Hollywood, 9 in Dania. (2)

1928

Harris Nankin opens his clothing store on Wall Street. (15)

Abe Hirschman, arriving from St. Augustine, opens Bon-Ton Dry Goods Store, the first known Jewish owned businesses in Pompano. (16)

1930

Broward County population 20,094. (1)

The '30s is a difficult time for Jews in Fort Lauderdale, which has an "anti-Semitic reputation." Many hotels are "restricted," forcing Jewish travelers and tourists to go south to hotels in Hollywood or the Miami area. Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury under FDR, comes here on Coast Guard business. He is told the hotel would accept him, but not Jewish staff members. He refuses to stay in Fort Lauderdale and finds accommodations outside the city limits. (17)

1931

B'nai Israel, the Fort Lauderdale Hebrew Congregation, organizes and provides religious training for the children. The initial 7 students are the children of the Katz, Robbins and Newman families. Classes are held in a 2-story building, known as the Maxwell Arcade. (8)

1933

David Sholtz, real estate developer, Jewish, born Brooklyn, NY, becomes Florida governor (1933-37) during the national depression. In 1945, he proposes a concept for a "world trade center" in Lower Manhattan to encourage port and maritime activities in New York.

The Fort Lauderdale Hebrew Congregation rents for the first time the American Legion Hall for the High Holidays, with services conducted by a student rabbi. (8)

Abe Markowitz opens Markowitz Plumbing on SW 1st Avenue and the New River. Townsmen request that window sign be changed to Mark Plumbing, a less Jewish-sounding name. He ignores request. (10)

1935

Russian immigrant Isadore A. "Pop" Sterling moves south from Palm Beach and opens Sterling's Store for Men and Boys in a converted garage on Andrews Avenue. (18)

Morris Hirschman establishes Moe's Pharmacy in downtown Pompano. (16)

B'nai Israel acquires blocks 1 and 2 in Evergreen Cemetery for burials of those of the Jewish faith. Evergreen Cemetery is a burial place for the pioneer residents of Fort Lauderdale. (19) To view list of burials, click here.

Eight donors spearhead the building of Fort Lauderdale's earliest temple; Mack Katz, Moe Katz, Abe Newman, Louis Sandler, Daniel Richter, David Blume, Archie Robbins and Dr. Albert Shapira. Charles & Samuel Lerner (Lerner Stores, NYC) also contribute to this effort. The Fort Lauderdale Hebrew Congregation is transformed into Temple Emanu-El, a reform congregation. Initial plan was a structure to accommodate 50 people, but during construction it is revised to 150. Land is donated by Moe and Mack Katz, Samuel Lerner and by a Christian friend, P.V. Burns. (8,20)

1937

The first services are held at the new Temple Emanu-El (1801 S. Andrews Avenue). Moe Katz becomes President and serves until 1947. The congregation consists of residents of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton. (8)

1938

Gambling is big business in south Florida during the 1930s. The Colonial Inn casino on Federal Highway near Gulfstream is operated by brothers Jake and Myer Lansky of the New York syndicate. (21)

1939

On the 4th of June, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter CG244 is dispatched from Coast Guard Base Six, Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale to trail the German steamship St. Louis as it meanders the Florida coast. 937 Jewish refugees aboard stare at the Miami-Fort Lauderdale haven, but are denied entry. The world follows the fate of the passengers aboard the St. Louis. Many would later perish in the Holocaust. (22,23)

1940

Broward County population 39,794. (1)

Jewish population study: Dade 8000; Broward 1000; Palm Beach 1000. (24)

Fort Lauderdale is a very closed community in the '40s. There are deed restrictions on all the island properties—everything is either Black or White and there are signs "restricting" clientele, which means no Jews are allowed. (The post-war population explosion makes deep inroads into this exclusivity.) (25)

A handful of Hollywood residents band together for High Holiday services. Hollywood is a young city of some 3400 people with perhaps 10 or 15 Jewish families. (26)

1941

The United States declares war (December 8th) and enters a conflict (WWII) that has raged for over 2 years and 3 months in Europe.

Dania tomato farmer (since 1930) and merchant, Harry Rubinstein, is the first Broward County resident in World War II to be drafted. He serves in the Philippines and Guadalcanal and then returns to Dania. (27)

1942

During World War II, Florida becomes a major training center for soldiers, sailors and aviators of the US. and its allies. Every airfield in the county, plus the future site of Broward Community College's central campus are WWII training facilities. (1)

Local residents become involved in wartime homefront duties with civilian defense groups. Rationing goes into effect. War bond drives are held.

The Naval Air Gunners School leases quarters of the Riverside Military Academy, Hollywood. Later, Lt. Comdr. Lewis H. Kurlan (Jewish attorney) becomes executive officer, a post he serves for 18 months. For a brief period, he serves as commandant. (28,29)

Richard Levy and family migrate from Chicage to Pompano, in the produce business. Later, son Alan achieves success in the agricultural business (Great American Farms: King of Produce) and gives back to the community in a myriad of ways, including leadership and support of Temple Emanu-el.

1943

The Jewish Community Center of Hollywood, chartered 1942, with Samuel Zaconic as its President, opens in a vacant store at the rear of the Morse Arcade on Hollywood Boulevard. (26)

Sailors from the Naval Air Gunners School are brought in to High Holiday services in order to have a minyan of 10 Jewish males. (29)

Eight men establish the Jewish Welfare Federation of Hollywood; Lester Allman, A.J. Dimond, Albert Einstein, Nelson Elsasser, Harry Finklestein, Irving Hoffman, E.M. Rosenthal and Frank Yaguda. Later it becomes the Jewish Federation of South Broward. 30)

1944

Leonard Robbins, pioneer Broward resident (native, 1925), holder of the U.S. Air Force Air Medal & Three Oak Leaf Clusters, receives Distinguished Flying Cross and promotion to Captain. Later, an attorney with numerous community and civic affiliations and awards. (31)

When the war is over, thousands of servicemen recall how nice it had been in Broward. With their families, they return. Thousands of others join them. The greatest boom is on.

David Posnack arrives to start in the produce business. He prospers and leaves a legacy that supports many Broward Jewish organizations—David Posnack Jewish Community Center, David Posnack Hebrew Day School, Temple Beth El Pre-School and the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO). (31a)

1945

A few Jewish families in the community form the Pompano Beach Jewish Circle, meeting in each other's homes each week. Founders are the David, Flax, Goldberg, Karneol and Hirshman families. In 1956, a congregation is formed with services in various rented quarters. In 1960, groundbreaking is held for Temple Sholem. (32)

Harry Berman, cattleman, works 300-acre spread near Wilson and Sterling Roads. He is the first Jew in Davie, c. 1945. (33)

1946

The Jewish Community Center of Hollywood moves into permanent quarters on Polk Street. Builder Martin Wohl and Dr. Herbert Heiden are active organizers. Religious services become an integral part of the curriculum, with Rabbi Max Kaufman as the first spiritual leader. (26)

MacArthur Field, at the northwest side of the intersection of Moffet Street and South Dixie Highway, is purchased by group headed by Maynard S. Abrams, renamed Hollywood Airpark. He starts a veterans' flight training school. (The site became residential c. 1952.) (11)

1948

Wolfie Cohen, successful Miami Beach restaurateur owns Wolfie Egg Farm, a chicken ranch located in what is now the western part of Cooper City. (33)

State Representative Frank Stirling offers Dr. Sumner H. Cohen a free house as inducement to open medical practice in Davie. He accepts and becomes the area's first physician, at 7700 Orange Drive, Davie. (33)

1950

Jewish population study: Dade 54,000; Broward 2000; Palm Beach 3000. (24)

The Todd Kaufman Memorial Building with an auditorium seating 500 and classroom facilities is added at Temple Emanu-El while Abe Markowitz is President. (8)

1952

Abe L. Mailman, successful industrialist, comes to Hollywood, becomes a property developer, banker and philanthropist. He later creates the City of Miramar and inaugurates the community of Three Islands in Hallandale. (34)

1953

Merle L. Fogg Field reopens as the Broward County Airport, with the first permanent terminal building completed in 1959.

The Jewish Community Center of Hollywood grows to become Temple Sinai of Hollywood. (26)

With a population of 475 residents, Plantation becomes a city. (2)

1955

Margate and Miramar incorporate. (1)

1956

Temple Sinai of Hollywood founded by Herman Goodman and Bill Horovitz. (35)

A group of Hollywood residents, members of Temple Emanu-El of Fort Lauderdale, form a south county group, later to become Temple Beth El. Ben Tobin, owner of the Hollywood Beach Hotel turns over the old Hillcrest Country Club as its first permanent building. Philanthropist Abe L. Mailman contributes 11 acres of land. He serves as the founder and president of Temple Beth El of Hollywood. (36)

1957

Al Roth buys 10 acres of citrus in Davie, founds Roth Grove and Roth Realty and becomes the most western real estate broker in the county. When the KKK burns crosses in the Boy Scout Road area (Davie), his son Hank, intending to proclaim Jewish pride in a way the antagonists understand, erects a huge Star of David on his front lawn. (33)

1958

Morris Cooper, Russian immigrant who made it big in the garment industry in NYC, sells his Arrow Shirt Company, then buys 600 acres to establish Cooper Colony Estates, later known as Cooper City. (4,33)

1959

Lauderhill, Cooper City and Pembroke Pines incorporate. (1)

In Moscow, to open the American National Exhibition, U.S. Vice-President Richard Nixon unexpectedly meets Russian Premier Nikita Khruschev in front of the kitchen exhibit of a model American house. The famous Nixon-Khruschev Kitchen Debate ensues. Herbert Sadkin, president of All-State Properties, returned to the States elated that this much-publicized debate took place at HIS kitchen. He took advantage of all the publicity. Sadkin was the "founding father" of Lauderhill and later Bonaventure. (37)

Maynard S. Abrams, attorney, elected Commissioner, City of Hollywood 1959-1969. (11)

1960

The first cars went under the New River in Florida's first and only tunnel. (2)

Jewish population study: Dade 140,000; Broward 10,000; Palm Beach 5000.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Jewish population estimated around 5000. (38)

Temple Sinai, the oldest Hollywood congregation, moves to its new Johnson Street house of worship. (26)

Temple Sholom of Pompano Beach, with almost 100 members, moves into its first permanent home, with Alexander Fogel, President. It had its start in 1945, as the Pompano Jewish Circle. (39)

1961

Sunrise, Davie and Lauderdale Lakes incorporate. (1)

1963

North Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Parkland and Tamarac incorporate. (1)

Broward Community College opens its central campus and becomes one of the largest community colleges in the country. (41)

1964

Sale of controlling interest in Hollywood State Bank, the oldest in Broward County, is made to a group of investors headed by attorney and city commissioner Maynard Abrams.(42)

Fort Lauderdale Jewish Center is organized. Charles Dickson is elected president pro tem.(43)

1965

Fort Lauderdale Jewish Center becomes Temple Beth Israel, Broward County's first conservative synagogue. Its first place of worship from 1965-75 is at 547 E. Oakland Park Boulevard. In 1975, a new sanctuary is built at 7100 W. Oakland Park Boulevard. (43) (March 2006: building sold to a church.)

1966

Maynard Abrams, attorney, is Broward's first Jewish mayor, elected in the City of Hollywood (1966-1969). His professional, civic and community affiliations and awards are numerous. (40)

1967

Coconut Creek incorporates. (1)

At Temple Emanu-El, the only synagogue in Fort Lauderdale (city), less than 200 people attend High Holiday services—there is no community center, no day school, no Federation. (44)

At the height of the Six Day War, local artists donate their work for a fundraiser for Israel. Over 600 people attend and the donor list becomes the genesis of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale, which is soon founded with Ludwik Brodzki as its first president. (38,44)

Israeli-born impresario Zev Bufman brings live theater to the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. (3)

1969

Temple Emanu-El dedicates new building at 3245 W. Oakland Park Boulevard to serve a congregation of about 1500 people. (8)

1970

Dr. Abraham S. Fischler becomes the second President of Nova University and the institution's first Jewish president. He guides Nova from an obscure small-town college into a nationally-recognized institution. (45,46) Fischler School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University was later dedicated in his honor.

U.S. Census shows Broward County population has grown to 620,000. (1)

Jewish population study: Dade 231,000; Broward 40,000; Palm Beach 10,000. (24)

Fred Resnick, attorney, is elected Mayor of Davie, c. 1970 (33)

Shopping center pioneer Leonard L. Farber develops Pompano Fashion Square Mall, later the Galleria Mall. The Fort Lauderdale civic leader and philanthropist developed 43 more from California to Puerto Rico. In WWII, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was decorated with a Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars. A board member for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, in 1979 President Carter appointed him to National Council on the Arts. (73)

1971

A group of 12 families, all newcomers to the area, form the Coral Springs Hebrew Congregation, with Jerry Mazor, its first president. (47)

Judge Morton Abram is the first Jew to serve on the bench in Broward County.

1972

Mark Spitz sets new Olympic record when he wins seven gold medals, and is honored at Fort Lauderdale's International Swimming Hall of Fame. (3)

The first Jew to attain countywide political status, Jack L. Moss (R.), pharmacist, is elected County Commissioner. He serves 2 terms as Chairman. (48)

William Lehman elected Representative, U.S. Congress, 13th Congressional District, including parts of Broward and Dade Counties. (49)

Tamarac Jewish Center, Inc. incorporates and by 1974 holds High Holiday services in their permanent home, renamed Temple Beth Torah. Initial subscribers are Irving Fenichel, Louis Steinberg and Mathilde S. Milch. (50)

1973

Plantation Hebrew Congregation forms with first meeting at Deicke Auditorium. Jerry Bauman is first president (1974) and their first home is a builder's sales office trailer on Nob Hill Road (1975). PHC later becomes Temple Kol Ami. (51)

Brian Gottfried of Lauderhill wins Tennis magazine Rookie Of The Year award. By 1977, he is ranked third among the world's top tennis players. In 1979, he is inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame.

1974

The first Jew to win election to public office on a statewide basis in Florida is Richard Stone, who is elected United States Senator. (52)

Louis Koch, father of New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch, is a founder of Sunrise Jewish Center, Temple Sha'aray Tzedek.

Congregation B’nai Sephardim Shaare Shalom, Hollywood, founded.

1975

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Jewish Community Center is organized at 2999 NW 33rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale (Federation Building). The Founding Committee includes Jacob Brodzki, Chairman, Dr. Jerome Blafer, Gail Capp, Irving Freidman, David Gross, Gloria Katz, Al Lang, Martin Lipnack, Suzanne Mellin, Shirley Miller, Anita Perlman, Louis Perlman, Bejamin Roisman, Ron Schagrin, Seena Sloan, Linda Stewart, Michal Weinberg, Laura Zimmerman. In 1979, this JCC becomes the Soref JCC - Pearlman Campus. The Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale officers are: Allan E. Baer, President, Irving L. Geisser, Executive Director, Barry Axler, Assistant Director. (52a)

The David Posnack Hebrew Day School (Fort Lauderdale) is organized by seven founding families; Axler, Bunder, Feldman, Fineberg, Labowitz, Reinstein and Zipris. (53)

1977

Federation President Jacob Brodzki (1977-78) and Bill Goldstein seek permission to stage a rally at Holiday Park to honor the State of Israel's 30th Anniversary. Mayor Clay Shaw issues a proclamation declaring the week as Fort Lauderdale-Israel Friendship Week. The event marks the first time the Jewish Community is so honored by the city. (43a)

Temple Kol Ami, Plantation, dedicates new Peters Road sanctuary, with Sheldon Harr, Rabbi. (51)

The Coral Springs Hebrew Congregation reaches 100 families, a building is erected and dedicated as Temple Beth Orr, Coral Springs' first synagogue. (47)

1979

The Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) of Miami is commissioned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale to become the community Jewish educational agency. (53)

JCC (Fort Lauderdale) purchases the Florida Air Academy, Plantation. The 16-acre campus is transformed into the Samuel M. & Helene Soref Jewish Community Center, Perlman Family Campus. (38)

1980

The first 'World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors' is organized by the United Jewish Appeal. Their Executive Committee includes local survivors Jacob and Ludwik Brodzki. (43a)

U.S. Census: Broward County population leaps to 1,018,257, up 63% in 10 years. In less than a century, Broward County is turned into the permanent home of over a million people and the winter residence of tens of thousands more. (1)

Jewish population study: Dade 269,000; Broward 181,000; Palm Beach 89,000. (24)

Chabad-Lubavitch opens its first Broward County Hassidic center. (54)

The annual Community Lecture Series is inaugurated, sponsored by synagogues, Jewish organizations and CAJE. Rabbi Grollman of Boston is the first speaker. (53)

Advanced Bible and Talmud Study Groups organized by CAJE for individuals with intensive Jewish background. (53)

The Family Service Center, on the campus of Nova University in Davie, is built as a result of a major contribution from philanthropist Abe Mailman c. 1981. (34) Later, the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies is named in his honor.

1982

Lawrence J. "Larry" Smith is the first Jew to win election to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida's 16th Congressional District, including parts of Broward and Dade Counties. Practicing attorney 1964-82; Hollywood Planning and Zoning Board 1974-78, Chairman 1975-78; Broward County Advisory Board 1978; Florida House of Representatives 1978-82; home,Hollywood. He serves as congressman for 10 years. (55)

Peter M. Weinstein elected to serve as State Senator from District 29. Peter Deutsch elected State Representative, State of Florida District 90. (52)

1983

Distinguished criminal lawyer J. Leonard Fleet of Hollywood is sworn in as Broward Circuit Judge. (61)

1984

Jewish population of South Broward estimated at 55,000. (57)

1985

Temple Bat Yam (Reform), on east side of Broward County organizes April 1985, and acquires a Coral Ridge temple facility (1987).

1986

Broward County Main Library opens on S. Andrews Avenue. Colossal (57" x 338" x 4") 4-dimensional sculpture, painted metal Color and Rhythm, A Visual Orchestration by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam adorns lobby. (58)

1988

Jewish population study: Dade 226,000; Broward 262,000; Palm Beach 161,000. Currently, 82,000 Jews live in South Broward County and 180,000 live in North Broward County. With 650,000 Jews, south Florida is now the second largest Jewish metropolitan area in the United States, after metropolitan New York City. 17% of the south Florida population is Jewish. The most central area is now at about Oakland Park Boulevard in Broward County. (24)

David Posnack Jewish Community Center, on the Nina & Louis Silverman Campus, opens on 29-acre Davie site to serve the community of South Broward. JCC programs were previously scattered throughout South Broward in 23 locations from condominium clubhouses, to a senior center, to a shopping center. It houses the community's only Holocaust Learning Center. (57)

Local teenagers participate in the March of the Living, worldwide pilgrimage to the sites of the extermination camps in Poland and to the rebirth of the Jewish people in Israel. (59)

1989

The Central Agency for Jewish Education in North Broward, in cooperation with the Soref JCC, the David Posnack JCC, the Office of Jewish Education and Broward County Community College, sponsor the first Jewish Book Week. The highlight, a lecture by Elie Wiesel, winner of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize. (59)

1990

The Soref Jewish Community Center in Plantation, Florida starts a history project with its seniors that grows into Project MOSAIC, a grassroots effort made throughout Florida to gather photographs, artifacts and oral histories that would testify to the presence of Jewish life in the state since 1763. "MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida" traveled to 13 cities from 1990-1994. So much interest was generated by the exhibit that by 1995 MOSAIC evolved into the Jewish Museum of Florida. And it all began in Broward County! (60)

Broward County Facts: 1.3 million population and the 20th largest county in U.S. based on population. (62)

1991

Broward Community College offers Judaic Studies Program. (63)

More than 44 synagogues are active throughout Broward County including 22 Conservative, 11 Reform and 10 Orthodox congregations. (64)

1992

MOSAIC: Jewish life in Florida multi-media traveling exhibition of photographs, artifacts, dioramas, and oral histories are displayed in Fort Lauderdale. Included is a Broward module. (65)

Dr. Stephen Feldman, president of Western Connecticut State University, becomes president of Nova University, Broward County's sole university and the second largest private college in Florida. (66,67)

Lubavitch, growing in Broward County, open their 8th center in a dozen years. (68)

At Broward Community College, Jews make up just under a quarter of the school's population of 22,000. (69)

1995

MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida exhibition evolves into the Jewish Museum of Florida. (70)

1999

The Broward Jewish community, the fourth largest in the country, consists of 261,000 persons living in 131,000 Jewish households. Of these 261,000 persons, 234,000 are Jewish. About 22,000 are part-year residents ("snowbirds"). (24) Broward now hosts the largest Jewish population in Florida.

2000

Broward County’s population has increased steadily from a population of 5135 in 1920 to 1.6 million in 2000. The county ranks as the 15th largest county in the United States and second largest county in Florida. (70a)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler, an engineering graduate of Dartmouth College, takes over for Dan Marino and starts 62 games for the Dolphins. He becomes the first Jewish starting quarterback in the NFL since the 1960s. (70b)

2002

Nicki E. Grossman selected as one of Travel Agent magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Travel. In 1994, she was named president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; in 1982, Broward County Commission; in 1978, Hollywood City Commission.

2004

With historic photos and sweeping murals, historic documents and artifacts, the Jewish Museum of Florida opens the Jews of Broward County exhibit, a comprehensive story of the state's largest Jewish community. (71)

Broward's oldest congregation, Emanu-El, merges with its largest, Kol Ami. Rabbis Sheldon Harr, Edward Maline and Daniel Triester will lead Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El, Plantation. (72)

There are more than 50 congregations in Broward. At least 20 Jewish men and women have served as mayors, 11 as judges, and 12 as state or federal legislators from Broward. (71)

2005

(April 4th) The Jews of Broward County exhibit, previously on display at the Jewish Museum, lives on at its new home, 'Jewish Federation of Broward County,' Davie. The exhibit of historic photos highlights the history of Broward's Jews, 1910 to the present.

Freshman Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the first Jewish Congresswoman ever elected from Florida, brings to Congress her many years of service in the Florida Legislature. She is named on the Forward national Jewish newspaper's annual list of 50 most influential Jewish leaders.

2006

Nova Southeastern University joins with Boston's Hebrew College to establish the Center for Public Policy and Religion, a center for Jewish education and learning in south Florida.

The tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach is home to a community of more than 625,000 Jews, about 10 percent of American Jews, and comprises nearly 200 congregations, 3 major Jewish federations, 20 Hebrew day schools, a world-recognized Holocaust memorial, and more.

The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, whose mission is preserving oral histories and artifacts from the Holocaust, moves from FIU to new museum in downtown Hollywood.

1. McGoun, Bill. A Short History of Broward County (for the Broward County Florida Historical Commission).
2. Our Colorful History (Ft. Lauderdale Historical Society).
1. Sokolow, Julius (son of David). Telephone interview, 22 Nov 2004; Brown, Helen S. (daughter-in-law of Louis), E-mail 26 Dec 2004.
3. Postal, Bernard. American Jewish Landmarks: A Travel Guide and History (New York: Fleet Press, c. 1977-1986).
4. Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce. Scrapbook.
5. Green, Henry A. & Zerivitz, Marcia. MOSAIC--Jewish life in Florida: A documentary exhibit from 1763 to the present. (Coral Gables, FL: MOSAIC, Inc., 1991).
6. Sun-Sentinel, (November 12, 1920) Fifth Anniversary.
7. Fort Lauderdale City Directory (1918).
8. GA, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (1977).
9. Lauderdale Sentinel (October 10, 1924).
10. Markowitz Memoirs. In possession of Nate Tarler.
11. Abrams, Maynard. The Ancestors Of Our Children, p. 138.
1. Abrams, Maynard. Letter of 5 Aug 1991 to Bernard Kouchel.
12. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966), pp. 258, 261.
13. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966), p. 320.
14. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966), p. 272.
15. 25th Anniversary news item (May 20, 1953).
16. Hochman, Laura. Soref Jewish Community Center. Oral history.
17. Amory, Cleveland. The Last Resorts (Westport, Connecticut, Greenwood Press, 1973).
18. Magazine clipping, source unknown. p. 119.
19. Sterling, Lou. Oral history.
20. Temple Emanu-El Dedication Journal (September 20, 1970).
21. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966), p. 253.
22. New York Times (June 5, 1939).
23. Thomas, Gordon. Voyage of the Damned (New York, Stein & Day 1974), p. 247.
24. Sheskin, Dr. Ira M. Department of Geography and Judaic Studies Program, University of Miami.
25. Young, Virginia S. Mangrove Roots of Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1976), p. 84.
26. Temple Sinai, Hollywood, FL (1961).
27. Miami Herald (December 23, 1987), obituary.
28. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966).
29. Ornstein, Adele. Oral history.
30. Jewish Federation letter (February 24, 1943).
31. Fort Lauderdale News (September 1, 1944), p. 1.
1. Kouchel, Bernard I. David Posnack Biography (January 27, 2004).
32. Temple Sholom Journal (1972).
33. Roth, Al. Roth's Groves, Davie, FL. Oral history.
34. Mailman, Abe L. Family Scrapbook.
35. Rothschild, Ron. Letter (February 13, 1992).
36. Jaffe, Rabbi. Letter (September 31, 1991).
37. Nixon/Kruschev Debate (July 24, 1959).
38. Goldstein, William. Thesis (October 1981).
39. Temple Sholem Journal (1960).
40. Broward County Historical Society. Note: Maynard Abrams was a charter member of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Broward County, 1988.
41. Sun-Tattler, Hollywood, FL (June 25, 1987).
42. TenEick, Virginia Elliott. History of Hollywood (1920 to 1950) (City of Hollywood, FL 1966), p. 187.
43. Fort Lauderdale News-Sun Sentinel (September 25, 1965), p. 2b.
1. Brodzki, Jacob. Interview 6 Mar 2001.
44. Broward Jewish World (January 3, 1992).
45. Fischler, Dr. Abraham S. Letter (September 24, 1991).
46. Sun-Sentinel (October 20, 1991).
47. Beth Orr Journal (1982).
48. Moss, Jack L. Interview and resume.
49. Office of Congressman William Lehman.
50. Temple Beth Torah (Tamarac, FL) Journal.
51. Ackerman, Helen. Letter (June 15, 1992).
52. Congressional Biography.
1. Fall Program Guide, 1976, Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale.
53. Gittleson, Dr. Abe. CAJE, Interview.
54. Broward Jewish World (March 13, 1992), p. 1.
55. Almanac of American Politics.
56. ---
57. David Posnack JCC. Brochure.
58. Kouchel, Bernard I. Observation.
59. CAJE Annual Report.
60. Mosaic: T.I.L.E.S., IV/1, (Jewish Museum of Florida).
61. Sun-Sentinel (December 1, 1991).
62. U.S. Population Census (1990).
63. Broward Community College. Brochure, CLR4 10/90 (1991).
64. Jewish Journal Synagogue Directory.
65. Soref JCC retained possession of the MOSAIC project Broward County module and documentation. The collection has since been declared "lost."
66. Sun-Sentinel (February 22, 1992), p. B-1.
67. Broward Jewish World (March 13, 1992) p. 3b.
68. Broward Jewish World (March 13, 1992) p. 1.
69. Broward Jewish World (March 27, 1992) p. 8a.
70. Jewish Museum of Florida website: http://www.jewishmuseum.com.
1. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. The Dolphins Training Facility is located in Davie (Broward County), Florida.
71. Mosaic: T.I.L.E.S., XVII/2, (Jewish Museum of Florida). Exhibition: August 10, 2004-January 30, 2005.
72. Broward Jewish Journal (August 19, 2004).
73. Sun-Sentinel (July 29, 2005). Obituary.

1. A Short History of Broward County. Bill McGoun, http://www.broward.org/hci00100.htm.
2. Bibliography of North American Jewish Community Books, Florida. http://www.iajgs.org/bibliography/Florida.htm.
3. Florida Jewish Heritage Trail, Rachel Heimovics and Marcia Zerivitz. (Tallahassee, Florida, Division of Historical Resources, 2000).
4. Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, An Illustrated History. Stuart B. McIver (Woodland Hills, CA, 1983, Windsor Publ.) Produced in cooperation with the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Inc.
5. Jewish Life in Florida, Henry Green and Marcia Zerivitz. (Coral Gables, Florida. Mosaic, Inc. 1991).
6. Jews of South Florida, Andrea Greenbaum, editor (Brandeis University Press, Hanover, N.H., 2005).
7. Jewish Museum of Florida: Dedicated to preserving the history, since 1763, of the Jewish experience in Florida. http://www.jewishmuseum.com.
8. MOSAIC Collection--650 images of Jewish life in Florida, 1880s-1970s Florida State Archives.

While every effort has been made to secure accurate data, the very nature and magnitude of the compilation make either completeness or total accuracy an impossible achievement. Additions and corrections are welcome. Contact Bernard Kouchel at bkouchel@jgsbc.org.

© Copyright 2007-2008 Bernard Israelite Kouchel. All rights reserved.