Florida Jewish history markers and makers

Marina Berkovich, JHSSWF President

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2010 to celebrate and promote awareness of contributions Jewish residents made in Southwest Florida. The organization is recognized with a GuideStar Gold Seal rating.

As president of the Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, in a Southwest Florida historical first, I was invited to speak about Florida’s designation of Jewish History Month at the Jan. 28 Collier County Commissioners’ meeting. I also had the great honor and privilege of leading all who were present in the Pledge of Allegiance, marking a significant moment of recognition for the Jewish community's role in local governance.

When I spoke about Jewish History Month and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz that was celebrated the day before, my remarks included regrets that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was precluded from attending the commemoration ceremony by the International Criminal Court.

On March 3, 1845, 180 years ago, Florida became the 27th state of the Union with a Jewish man, David Levy Yulee, becoming the first U.S. Senator representing Florida. He represented the Florida Territory’s at-large district as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from March 4, 1841, to March 3, 1845.

Women’s Day was first celebrated on a suggestion of a Russian Jew, Theresa Serber Malkiel on Feb. 28, 1909. The Socialist Party of America organized a party in New York City. In 1922, Vladimir Illich Lenin declared March 8 as International Women’s Day to honor his female co-revolutionaries, many of whom were Jewish. The U.N. first marked the day in 1977, and the U.S. designated the month of March as Women’s History Month in 1987, with Florida following in 2021.

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida conducts its educational and historical preservation efforts through various programs. The organization relies on community support and involvement, donations and volunteerism. For more information on supporting this important work call 833-547-7935 or go to www.jhsswf.org.