About the Museum
The Jewish Museum of Florida preserves and interprets the stories, objects, images and voices of Jewish life across the state — from 1763 to the present — while using those stories to illuminate migration, identity, belonging and the evolving cultural mosaic of Florida.
A Museum With a Story of Its Own
The Museum occupies the historic former Beth Jacob Synagogue campus in Miami Beach. The congregation’s original building opened in 1929; as the community grew, a larger sanctuary followed in 1936, designed by noted Art Deco architect Henry Hohauser. The 1936 building itself remains one of the Museum’s defining artifacts, with 77 stained-glass windows, a copper dome and a marble bimah. Today, the two historic buildings are joined by the Bess Myerson Gallery.
Our History
Scroll through four moments that trace the journey from Beth Jacob’s beginnings on Washington Avenue to the Jewish Museum of Florida’s new independent chapter.
Ground is broken for Beth Jacob’s new sanctuary at 301 Washington Avenue. By this time, the congregation was already established next door at 311 Washington Avenue; the new building expanded the campus as the community continued to grow.
As the community grows, Beth Jacob opens a larger sanctuary at 301 Washington Avenue, designed by noted Art Deco architect Henry Hohauser. Its stained glass, copper dome and marble bimah remain at the heart of the Museum today.
Beth Jacob, 1936
Henry Hohauser
MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, originated by Marcia Zerivitz, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida, grows from a grassroots documentation effort into a traveling exhibition. Its momentum leads to the opening of the Jewish Museum of Florida in 1995.
The Jewish Museum of Florida returns to independent nonprofit leadership, beginning a new era of exhibitions, programming, community engagement and long-term institutional growth.
MOSAIC & the Collection
MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida was originated by Marcia Zerivitz, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida, as a statewide grassroots effort to document and preserve the Jewish experience in Florida. Beginning in the 1980s, photographs, artifacts, documents and oral histories were gathered from pioneer families and more recent arrivals across the state.
The exhibition traveled to 13 Florida communities from 1990–1994 and generated such enthusiasm that the project ultimately evolved into the Jewish Museum of Florida in 1995.
That collecting effort became the foundation of an extensive archive documenting the people, communities and institutions that have shaped Jewish life in Florida.
A New Chapter
In 2026, the Jewish Museum of Florida returned to independent nonprofit leadership, opening a new chapter centered on expanded programming, deeper community engagement, stronger philanthropic support and long-term institutional growth.
The next generation of the Museum builds on a nationally accredited legacy while embracing contemporary art, digital accessibility, education, civic dialogue and statewide storytelling.
Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum maintains professional standards in collecting, preservation, conservation, research and interpretation.
To collect, preserve, interpret and share the material evidence and stories of Jewish life in Florida — and to use those stories to deepen understanding across cultures and generations.
Through exhibitions, education, scholarship and public engagement, the Museum explores how Jewish communities have contributed to Florida’s evolving cultural mosaic while balancing heritage, tradition and contemporary identity.
Support & Accreditation
The Jewish Museum of Florida gratefully acknowledges support and accreditation from:
