The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida

Established in 2010, The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida’s mission is to educate, celebrate and promote awareness of contributions that Southwest Florida Jewish residents have made. These contributions went to the establishment and development of the region to date and document contemporary Jewish presence and role in the area through protecting Jewish history of Southwest Florida.

The JHSSWF continually builds and expands its collection of records relevant to early Southwest Florida Jewish presence. Our Southwest Florida Jewish History in-person and online presentations offer additional material to those seeking historical perspectives, both factual and anecdotal. Recognizing that some world current events are loosely intertwined with roots of our community, we started including regional perspectives of Jewish history, including Ukraine, Russia, Crimea and other former Soviet lands, and expanding geohistorical presentations to Israel and neighboring countries that once upon a time were home to thriving Jewish communities.

The organization’s fundraiser, planned for Jan. 14, Florida Jewish History Month, is “Tea with History.” It will offer unique education and fun.

We honor American Jewish Heritage Month in May and usually premiere new original documentary films from the JHSSWF-produced Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers, like “Midsummer Night Dream” and “Becoming Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.” Eyewitnesses share their memories of the evolution of the Jewish presence in Southwest Florida as well as their individual Jewish experiences in the area. This work already earned a prestigious Telly Award and is now included in the ANU Museum of The Jewish People in Tel Aviv, Israel.

You must be on JHSSWFL’s membership list to receive calendar reminders and event access information for online and live events. Please sign up through our website.

How can you help? We encourage you to join our email list by contacting office@jhsswf.org.

Annual individual membership is $36; annual family membership is $54; any donation is welcome. Annual fundraiser tickets start at $108.

Marina Berkovich, President 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL) office@jhsswf.org • JHSSWF.org