Florida’s Annual Jewish History Month

Marina Berkovich, JHSSWF President

Given the historically prejudiced treatment of Jews, it is not surprising to me that even after many post-Civil Rights Movement advancements, our state only began celebrating its Jewish History Month in 2003. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida has been celebrating it since 2015 with various in-person and Zoom-only (during COVID-19) events. It has become our tradition to bring to you, our most valued members and supporters, factual and anecdotal history of our Southwest Florida region.

For our 10th celebration, we are putting our tea kettles on to boil for “Tea With History,” our annual fundraising event that will offer a spectrum of entertaining historical reenactments and summations to be consumed with an afternoon tea fare of sandwiches and sweets.

Florida is a state with a remarkably interesting Jewish history that theoretically dates back to the discovery of Florida. How, when and where did Southwest Florida Jewish History begin? After being prohibited to settle on the peninsula during Spanish rule, the Jews actively moved to Florida and participated in its economy, development and culture, reaching positions of such visibility and prominence as first-ever Florida territory, later State of Florida, U.S. Senator David Levy Yulee (July 1, 1845-March 3, 1851).

Yulee’s cousin, Judah P. Benjamin, served in three different Cabinet positions for the Confederate States under President Jefferson Davis: Attorney General, Secretary of War and Secretary of State. Historians would later dub him the "Brains of the Confederacy.” At the end of Civil War, Benjamin made his way from Richmond, Virginia to Manatee, Florida, and then out of the country in 1865.

As a general rule, all modern Jewish history of Southwest Florida leads back to its forefather, Abraham C. Myers, after whom Fort Myers was named in 1850. He, too, fled the U.S. after having held a position of Quartermaster General of The Confederacy twice, and being blamed for its infamous supply deficiencies after it was all over.

At the “Tea With History” fundraiser, we will share the story of how the changing times took Collier County, the last of Florida’s mainland coastal counties, to become home to Jews, with Greater Naples gravitating from an unfriendly, inhospitable and antagonistic place to a thriving Jewish neighborhood that provides safety and stability to Jews from U.S., Canada, Europe and other places. This is a tea of equal opportunity for our male and female members to partake. The dress is smart casual. Ladies are encouraged to wear fascinators.

In times of escalating antisemitism, the notion that it is possible to get public opinion to favor the Jewish side is not just comforting, it is imperative. Just look at how our county did it during last century!

“Tea With History” fundraiser tickets are only $108. If you are unable to attend, please consider buying tickets as gifts for local high school or college students, Jewish or non-Jewish. Membership and donations are always welcome.

We hope you will come to support our organization’s work, spread the word, and help us fulfill our mission of historical preservation.

See you at all of the Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida events at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. More information can be found at JHSSWF.org.

Your generosity and support help The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL in its work, events and presentations. Donate online, by mail or contact us at office@jhsswf.org. We can be reached at The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite # 255, Naples FL 34108, 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org, or office@jhsswf.org.

The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.