If you are a member of the Jewish faith, have Jewish roots, or are simply interested in Jewish history, the Jewish Museum of Florida is an interesting visit. The museum, housed in two historic synagogues, offers visitors to Miami Beach the opportunity to learn about the history of the Jewish people in South Florida. It’s a great stop for those taking the Miami Beach walking tour.
Jewish museum exhibits
The Jewish Museum presents a central exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida that tells the story of the Jewish experience in Florida. MOSAIC presents four multimedia components:
- A wall showing the timeline of Jewish history , both in Florida and in the context of international Jewish history.
- MOSAIC’s flagship exhibit featuring materials presenting the history of the Jewish people in Florida using seven main themes:
- Who are the Jews of Florida?
- Jewish life cycles and rituals
- Building community
- Discrimination against Jews
- Land of opportunity
- Acculturation
- History and Mission of the Jewish Museum
- Three audiovisual presentations with information on the Jewish faith and history:
- Synagogue to the museum that highlights the history of the museum itself as it was transformed from a site of religious worship to a historical museum open to the public.
- Jewish settlement in Florida that follows four Jewish families who came to different parts of Florida at different times in history.
- L’Chaim: To Life which provides an overview of Jewish religious traditions.
- The physical museum dating back to 1929, when it was the first synagogue in Miami Beach.
In addition to the permanent MOSAIC exhibition, the museum also presents one or more temporary exhibitions at any given time. The 2011-2013 temporary exhibition calendar includes:
- Seeking Justice: The Leo Frank Case Revisited (January-August 2011)
- Isaac Bashevis Singer and his artists (May-August 2011)
- Rabbi Irving Lehrman: His Life & Art (September 2011 – January 2012)
- Poland Wooden Synagogues and The Florida Connection (September 2011 – March 2012)
- Kaddish end of mourning: 333 days in painting (January-May 2012)
- Once Upon a Time in Lithuania and The Florida Connection (April-October 2012)
- Mel Finkelstein: Imagining the Man Behind the Camera (May-October 2012)
- Florida Jews in the Food Industry (November 2012 – May 2013)
- Maj Jongg Project (October 2012 – January 2013)
- Miami Mosiac: Portraits of Inez Hollander (February – May 2013)
Jewish museum location
The Jewish Museum is located in Miami Beach. If you are coming from the mainland, take the MacArthur Causeway towards Miami Beach. Continue straight from the driveway onto 5th Street and turn right onto Washington Avenue. The museum is two blocks away, at 301 Washington Avenue. You may want to read more about Miami Beach parking before leaving for your trip.
Other area attractions
If you are visiting Miami Beach, be sure to read about the top ten things to do in Miami Beach. If you are planning a trip to the museum, you may want to stay at one of our best Miami Beach hotels.
Hours of operation
The Jewish Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, six days a week. The museum is closed on Mondays, as well as during civil and Jewish religious holidays.
Admission
Admission to the Jewish Museum is $ 6 for adults and $ 5 for seniors and students. Family admission is available for $ 12 per family. Admission is free for all visitors on Saturdays and for museum members, children under the age of six, and Go Miami Card holders on all other days.
