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Steeped in history, Pensacola Jews celebrate the 150th anniversary of Florida’s oldest synagogue

JL;DR SUMMARY Pensacola, Florida, home to the state's oldest synagogue, Temple Beth El, celebrated its 150th anniversary, highlighting the area’s unique Jewish history and community efforts. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish HistoryChabadFloridaSynagoguesCommunityPro IsraelJewish RenaissanceTemple Beth ElPensacolaLocal Jews

Places mentioned

Pensacola, Florida, United States
"PENSACOLA, Florida Mention the Jewish exodus to Florida, and people immediately think Miami Beach, Boca Raton or Aventura."
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
"eclipsing much older congregations in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Pensacola that thrived long before the advent of air-conditioning and interstate highways."
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
"eclipsing much older congregations in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Pensacola that thrived long before the advent of air-conditioning and interstate highways."
Miami Beach, Florida, United States
"Mention the Jewish exodus to Florida, and people immediately think Miami Beach, Boca Raton or Aventura."
Boca Raton, Florida, United States
"Mention the Jewish exodus to Florida, and people immediately think Miami Beach, Boca Raton or Aventura."
Aventura, Florida, United States
"Mention the Jewish exodus to Florida, and people immediately think Miami Beach, Boca Raton or Aventura."
Alabama, United States
"even though were only 10 miles from Alabama, said Rabbi Joel Fleekop, 47, spiritual leader of Beth El since 2012."
Milton, Florida, United States
"That community was born after the Civil War, when Jews settled in Milton a northwest Florida lumber hub bringing their skills from heavily wooded areas of Bavaria and southern Germany."
Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
"Originally from Lakewood, New Jersey, he said Bnai Israels membership consists of 60 to 70 families, compared to 185 families at Beth El."
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
"Theres no kosher restaurant within a 400-mile radius. The closest is in Jacksonville or Atlanta, he said."
Gulf Breeze, Florida, United States
"People cant believe there was a thriving Jewish community here at the turn of the century, said Bill Zimmern, 74, a native Pensacolan like his mother and grandmother whose wife, Beverly, was once mayor of suburban Gulf Breeze."
Gainesville, Florida, United States
"The front lawn of Zimmerns best friend, Charles Kahn, 74, a retired federal judge, boasts two signs: Go Gators a reference to his alma mater, the University of Florida and We Stand With Israel."
Dade City, Florida, United States
"But instead of going to Dade or Broward, they should consider Pensacola. There is Jewish life here."
Broward, Florida, United States
"But instead of going to Dade or Broward, they should consider Pensacola. There is Jewish life here."

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Retrieved 2026-04-20 18:00:30 UTC
Curated 2026-04-20 19:00:31 UTC