When did Jews move to Florida?
The Jewish history in Florida is as old as Florida itself—a saga of pioneers, dreamers, and builders who came in waves and contributed to Florida's present-day identity. The history of Jews coming to Florida started many centuries ago, and their number has increased from a few of the early inhabitants to one of the largest American Jewish communities nowadays. So when did Jews migrate to Florida? Let's take a stroll through history and find the milestones, reasons, and moments that have shaped Jewish life in the Sunshine State.
The Earliest Arrivals: Colonial Florida
The first documented Jewish settlers in Florida came in 1763, when England purchased Florida from Spain in the Treaty of Paris. With this shift, the restrictions that had previously kept settlement to Catholics were removed, and Jews—along with other non-Catholics—could move in for the first time. Some of the earliest arrivals included Alexander Solomons, Joseph de Palacios, and Samuel Israel, who moved to Pensacola.
Historians further conjecture that conversos (Jews who had converted to Christianity under coercion) might have been part of early Spanish expeditions, even as far back as 1513 when Ponce de León landed, and certainly among the settlers of St. Augustine by the late 1500s. Documented Jewish communal life, however, actually started with the British regime in the mid-18th century.
The 19th Century: Building Roots in a New Land
Following the sale of Florida by Spain to the United States in 1821, Jewish immigration accelerated. Jewish immigration was facilitated by Moses Elias Levy, a Moroccan-born businessman. Levy, in 1820, started buying up land in northeastern Florida with visions of the state becoming a sanctuary for Jews who had been persecuted in Europe. Levy's "Pilgrimage Plantation" near Gainesville, Florida, today, was one of the first Jewish farming colonies in America, but it survived only until 1835.
By 1845, when Florida was admitted as a U.S. state, there were fewer than 100 Jews in a population of 66,500. Nevertheless, Jewish Floridians were already beginning to make an impact. Moses Levy's son, David Levy Yulee, was the first Jewish U.S. Senator and served Florida from 1845 to 1851 and later from 1855 to 1861.
The first Jewish institution in Florida, the Jacksonville Hebrew Cemetery, was founded in 1857. In 1876, the first congregation, Beth El, was formed in Jacksonville, and by 1900, six congregations had been established throughout the state.
Early 20th Century: Growth and Community Formation
The early 1900s witnessed Jewish settlements establishing themselves in cities such as Pensacola, Jacksonville, Key West, Tampa, Ocala, and St. Augustine. Both American-born Jews and recent immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Caribbean influenced these settlements. The first Miami Jewish congregation was formed in 1913, followed by Orlando in 1918 and Sarasota in 1925.
By 1928, Jacksonville was the hub of Jewish life in Florida, with approximately 40% of the state's 10,000 Jews residing there. However, as Miami Beach became known for night life and economic prospects, more Jews migrated south. By the 1940s, the Jewish population of Miami had reached around 5,000.
Post-World War II: The Boom Years
The post-World War II decades witnessed a growth explosion in Florida's Jewish population. A number of factors drove the boom:
Air Conditioning: Made Florida's hot climate bearable throughout the year.
Economic Opportunity: As the cities in Florida expanded, so did professional and business opportunity.
Retirement Appeal: Florida's warm climate and amenities drew retirees from the Northeast and Midwest.
Social Change: Clubs and hotels that had formerly been off-limits to Jews now began to welcome them, particularly as some were taken over by the military during the war.
By 1960, over 175,000 Jews resided in Florida. Older Jews retired to South Florida, and others came from the Caribbean and Latin America. New Jewish communities developed in cities such as Fort Myers and Naples, and the Tampa Bay region also experienced rapid expansion.
Modern Florida: A Thriving, Diverse Community
Now, Florida has one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation—approximately 750,000 as of 2024. South Florida, particularly Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, is the hub, with some communities where Jews constitute over 13% of the population.
Jewish Floridians are present in all aspects of civic, cultural, and economic life. From Nobel winners to corporate leaders, they have contributed to shaping the state's identity. The group is similarly diverse, with robust Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Latin American, and Israeli representation.
Jewish Life and Legacy in Florida
The Jewish community in Florida is apparent in its synagogues, schools, community centers, and cultural events. Miami, Boca Raton, Tampa, and Orlando have thriving Jewish enclaves and institutions. Jewish retirees also keep coming to the state, attracted by warm temperatures, amenities, and an open welcoming community.
Maintaining a comfortable home is important to many Jewish families—whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime resident, having a trusted cleaner can help keep your living space fresh and ready for family gatherings and community celebrations.
Discover More About Jewish Florida
If you’re interested in learning more about the history, culture, and communities of Jewish Florida, visit our website for in-depth guides, timelines, and resources. Whether you’re researching your family’s roots, planning a move, or just curious about Florida’s Jewish story, you’ll find plenty to explore.
So, when did Jews come to Florida? The process started in the 1760s with a small group of pioneers in Pensacola, expanded during the 19th and 20th centuries with immigrating settlers and dreamers, and continues to this day with a successful, diverse community. Jewish life in Florida is a tale of toughness, flexibility, and robust development—a tribute to the unbreakable will of those who came to seek their fortune and create a home in the Sunshine State.
For additional information on Florida's Jewish history and community resources, be sure to visit our website. The story continues to unfold, and you can be a part of it.
