Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers

TELLY Awards-winning documentary film series original production of the Jewish Historical Society of SWFL (JHSSWF)

Jewish residents of Southwest Florida are witnesses to the formation and establishment of Jewish communities in the area. JHSSWF is fortunate to have captured many of their stories on film and to have the ability to bring them to light. There are currently 17 films in the series.

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

2 of the Six L’s (2015) The Lipman family relocated to Southwest Florida in the early 1950s and established Six L’s and Lipman Produce. They still employ hundreds of local and migrant laborers and sponsor many causes.

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 of its Jewish community.

The Labodas of Fort Myers (2017)

These Fort Myers pioneers came to the area in 1965. Jerry was the very first oral surgeon of the region. His mother, Rose, co-founded the local Hadassah Chapter, and his wife, Sheila, started the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties.

Murray’s Mile (2018)

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

Elena Rosner

When Destiny Called (2018) This Holocaust survivor talked 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 Island’s first rabbi, who started the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at FGCU, CatholicJewish dialogue and more.

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 as well as his role in Collier County planning.

Florence Hertzman

By the Pier (2020) This Canadian family 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) City of Naples four-time mayor talks shop, and his friends talk about him. Get to know Barnett as never before.

Gene Goodman

The Song Meister (2021) This 104-year-old music publisher talks charts, songs, celebs and about superfamous brother Benny, the clarinetist.

Sheldon Starman

Down the Memory Lane (2021) A CPA in Naples since 1969, Starman witnessed and participated in the transformation of the city, the county and the Jewish community.

Rosalee Bogo

Our Steel Magnolia (2022) Born, raised and living in the South, from tiny town to big accomplishments, Rosalee’s tender strength forged Jewish communities wherever life took her.

Jack Nortman

Boxcar Education Giant (2022) Once a displaced person, Jack built his life around family legacy of the Holocaust era, fighting to stop genocide wherever his reach encompasses.

To attend virtual and live events, contact office@jhsswf.org to become a member and/or supporter of The Society. Visit jhsswf.org to sign up for the mailing list.