Reso 2010-1597 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

community, Its conversion into a Jewish Temple completes the cultural journey. Social Criterion In a superbly ironic twist to history, Carl's Fisher's edicts, which discriminated against Jewish people, were overturned when the population of Miami Beach became largely Jewlsh.1S During the 1920s and 1930s, Florida's "public" accommodations were largely restricted. Signs described the "right" kind of clientele with signs that read "Gentiles Only"; "Exclusive"; "Whites Only"; "No Latins Allowed," and the all-encompassing "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."16 The implications of the "Social Security Act" in 1935 and corporate America's pension incentives led to yet another wave of migration to the "Sunshine State." After World War II, the Veteran's Administration and the Federal Housing Authority provided the means for many to own their own homes. As compared to major northern cities, Florida housing was relatively inexpensive and because the state had no income tax. its advantages became clear to many.17 Between 1945 and 1960, Miami's Jewish population grew at a rate of 800 persons per month. By the 19705, Miami had the fifth-largest Jewish population, trailing only New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles,I6 In 1943, when Wolfle Cohen opened his legendary delicatessen in Sunny Isles, the patronage included many Jews, but Gentiles alike, who came only because of the quantity and quality of the food. The escalating Jewish population in Florida was extraordinary, and by the millennium (2000,) two of every three Jews living In the south, made Florida their home.19 In 1977, the Sunny Isles Lutheran Church was sold to Temple B'Nal Zion, reflecting the growing Jewish demographic and the need for additional houses of worship, to augment those existing in adjacent Miami Beach. As the fortunes of Miami Beach changed, so too, did the synagogues. A 1983 Miami Herald article noted that there were 22 synagogues located In Miami Beach, but that many of them were seeing a decline In membership. At Temple King Solomon (Conservative) and the Beth Jacob (Orthodox) synagogues the congregations flourished in the 1960s, but in the early 1980s membership of the synagogues began to decline. At Beth Jacob, the membership went from some 350 families to 100. 20 That decline coincides 15 Carl Fisher first saw what was to become "Miami Beach" in 1910 durfng a vacation. He promptly began buying land and promoting his barrier Island as the ultimate in beach resorts. By the 19205 (florida's land boom,) Fisher was worth over $100 million, and the popularity of MiamI Beach as a tourist destination was forever established. 16 Gary Morlnino, . Land of Sunshine-State of Dreams, A Social HIstory of Modem Florida" (Gainesville: University Press of Florida), 2005, p.96 17 Morlmino, p.128 18 Ibid. 19 Morlmlno, p.16-17 20 Andres S. Vigluccl "KeepIng the Folthfullsn't Easy" The Miami Herald, Neighbors Miami Beach, 24 November 1983, p.lO 10