Jews make lots of good things happen, historically speaking

By Marina Berkovich, president

It’s not about me, but … when I moved to Naples and Southwest Florida about 16 years ago, I was absolutely clueless about its Jewish presence. I was not actively seeking it because I come from Jews who were kept atheistic under the threat of GULAG. Maintaining Jewish traditions, values, language and religion was punishable for three generations.

Jewish history was not to be preserved or cherished, but hidden away and camouflaged so that our persecutors may not find out we were Jews. At least, we deceived ourselves into such erroneous thinking.

In the USA, I continued my attempts at conveying the history I am privileged to understand, the one I escaped from. American Jews, despite high bar and bat mitzvah statistics, are not being taught enough modern Jewish history.

The Southwest Florida Jewish trail started through my work at the Naples Historical Society Oral History project, when I was tipped off by a concerned gentile’s question “Did you know that they did not want Jews to live here?”

I had no idea. I guess, I can now say that’s why I became an accidental Jewish historian of Southwest Florida.

Tidbit by tidbit, the Jewish history of Southwest Florida has been shaping up into a cohesive timeline, with eyewitness stories and reminiscences of and about its makers.

Members of JHSSWF are now familiar with many stories, skipping from Abraham Myers into the late 20th century, when fair housing laws finally enabled Jews to make their presence in Southwest Florida visible.

Some left prominent markers and planted roots, like the Fleischmann, Lipman and Laboda families. Others built structures bearing their names and helped the community excel through development, like the Rosens, the Hertzmans and the Kayes.

History is always in the making. Today, we have new names in town, new faces. They may not be the Southwest Florida’s founding Jewish fathers, but they continue the same wonderful circle of tradition of benevolence and progress, like Naples businessman David Hoffman, who acquired the Hertz Arena and the Florida Everblades hockey team in Estero; like Jay Baker, retired president of Kohl’s department stores, who endowed the Art Museum, Gulfshore Playhouse and more; like Janet Guttman Cohen, whose $1 million dollar donation spearheaded the relocation of the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida to its new home.

And there are so many others, whose tireless efforts and commitment to various causes, project a wonderful wisdom Jews bring wherever they settle. They strengthen the community by example.

Arts, education, sports, business and culture are very much part of Jewish history universally, and Southwest Florida is no exception. The upcoming expansion of JFGN is positioned to carry that forward.

Despite small numbers, Jews have always influenced Southwest Florida and will continue to do so for centuries. You, too, can help us capture their stories and bring them to the screen and the Virtual Museum of Southwest Florida.

Follow us online and join our mailing list to be advised of upcoming events. During the summer, we will have Timeline of Southwest Florida Jewish History presentations via Zoom. Dates are to be announced.

Become a member

Become a member and help us fulfill our mission of historical preservation and education. Family Membership is $54, Individual Membership is $36 and Student Membership is $18.

Please join us online by entering the appropriate amount or mail checks to: The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples FL 34108. For more information, call 833-547-7935 (833-JHS- SWFL), email office@jhsswf.org or go to www.jhsswf.org.

Visit the Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History at http://jewishhistorysouthwestflorida.org.

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