Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers

Telly Award-winning documentary film series original production of the Jewish Historical Society of SWFL

Jewish residents of the Southwest Florida region bear witness to the establishment of Jewish communities here. Below is a taste of what is covered in each of the 14 films.

Helen Weinfeld – Naples’ First Jewish Historian (2014)

Helen and her husband, Joe, moved to Naples in the late 1960s, when segregation still existed, and Jews were few.

Gloria and Bill Lipman – Two of the Six L’s (2015)

The Lipman family relocated to Southwest Florida in the early 1950s, established Six L’s and Lipman Produce, and still employ hundreds of local and migrant laborers.

Richard Segalman – The Man and His Art (2016)

From bartending at the famous Anchor Bar on Tamiami Trail to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in his native NYC, it’s quite a journey.

Stuart Kaye – A Mensch for All Reasons (2017)

Raised on the east coast of Florida, a very young professional moves to Naples in the early 1980s and becomes a leader in its Jewish community.

The Labodas of Fort Myers (2017)

They came to Fort Myers as pioneers in 1965. Gerry was the very first oral surgeon of the region, whose mother co-started the local Hadassah Chapter. Sheila started the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties.

Murray’s Mile (2018)

Once an IRS employee, Murray’s retirement is one of the most active in the vicinity. Among many important achievements, Murray is unofficially known as the most powerful unelected official in the City of Naples.

Elena Rosner – When Destiny Called (2018)

Holocaust Survivor talks a Marco Island developer into granting her a plot designated as “church” to start a Jewish temple.

The Greensteins of Marco Island (2018)

Lenore tells the story of Rabbi Howard, Marco’s first rabbi, who co-started the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at FGCU, Catholic- Jewish dialogue.

The Power of Two – Judith and Samuel Friedland (2019)

Dr. Judith and Samuel Friedland moved to Naples and found success in their professional careers, the Jewish community and beyond.

Chief Plager (2019)

Sanibel Island’s Police Chief Richard Plager retired from a 38-year career on a Miami-Dade police force, Sanibel police force, and as a volunteer policeman in the Old City of Jerusalem, so far…

Irving Berzon – Engineering the Future (2020)

WWII veteran and Collier County visionary discusses the road he traveled to his goals.

Florence Hertzman – By the Pier (2020)

Canadians found their wintertime heaven on Earth, formed an investors group, and went through many pleasantries, with some unpleasantries.

Bill Barnett – Mayor with a Heart (2021)

Naples four-time mayor talks shop and his friends talk about him. Get to know him as never before.

Gene Goodman – Song Meister (2021)

This 104-year-old music publisher talks charts, songs, celebs and about brother Benny, the clarinetist.

To watch the films and attend virtual and live events, contact office@jhsswf.org to become a member and/or supporter of The Society.