South Florida is basically the new center of the Jewish world in America. People used to think of it just as a place where grandma and grandpa went to retire and eat early bird specials at a deli in Boca. That’s not the reality anymore. Honestly, the shift over the last five years has been wild.
You’ve got young families moving in by the thousands. Tech bros from New York are setting up shop in Wynwood. Ultra-Orthodox communities are expanding so fast that housing inventory can't even keep up. It’s a mix of different cultures, languages, and levels of observance that you really won't find anywhere else.
The Massive Numbers Behind the Boom
When we talk about Jews in South Florida, we’re looking at the third-largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel. Only New York and Los Angeles really compete. There are over 500,000 Jewish residents living across the tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
A recent study by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation found that the population in Miami-Dade alone grew by 7% over the last decade. But here’s the kicker: the number of Jewish children grew by 13%. That tells you everything you need to know. It’s not just a retirement destination. It's a place where people are raising kids.
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In Palm Beach County, places like Boca Raton are nearly 50% Jewish in some neighborhoods. That is a staggering density. If you walk down the street in West Boca or parts of Hollywood, you’ll see an eruv—a ritual enclosure that allows religious Jews to carry items on the Sabbath—stretching for miles.
It’s Not Just One "Community"
One thing most people get wrong is thinking the community is a monolith. It’s not. It is incredibly diverse.
You have the "Cuban-Jews" (Jubans) who fled Castro in the 60s. They brought a specific flavor to Miami’s Jewish life—think Sephardic traditions mixed with Latin flair. Then you have the newer arrivals from Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil. They are often fleeing economic instability back home and finding refuge in Aventura or Doral.
Then there are the "Snowbirds." These are the folks who spend three to six months a year here to escape the New York or Chicago winters. But since 2020, many of those part-timers have traded their New York driver’s licenses for Florida ones. They stayed.
Where Everyone is Settling
- Aventura & North Dade: This is the heart of the Latin Jewish community. The Safra Center and various high-end synagogues are the hubs here.
- Boca Raton: Basically the "Gold Standard" for suburban Jewish life. Great schools, tons of kosher restaurants, and a massive range of synagogues from Reform to Ultra-Orthodox.
- Miami Beach: The historic soul. It’s where Joe’s Stone Crab started (founded by a Jewish family in 1913). Today, it’s a mix of young professionals and a very strong Orthodox presence in the "South of Fifth" and mid-beach areas.
- Hollywood & Fort Lauderdale: Broward County has a huge concentration of Conservative and Orthodox families. It’s a bit more "low-key" than Miami but just as vibrant.
Why Everyone is Moving Here (It’s Not Just the Weather)
Sure, the sun is great. No state income tax helps too. But for Jews in South Florida, the real draw is the infrastructure.
If you keep kosher, you can find a kosher supermarket on almost every corner in certain neighborhoods. There are dozens of Jewish day schools. Florida’s school voucher program has actually made these private schools much more affordable for middle-class families. Rabbi Josh Broide from the Boca Raton Synagogue recently noted that the growth in schools is the fastest in the country.
There’s also the political climate. Many Jewish families moved from the Northeast because they felt Florida was more "open" during the pandemic. They liked the pro-business stance and the focus on parental rights in education. Whether you agree with the politics or not, it’s been a massive driver of the population shift.
The Cultural Impact You Can See
You can’t talk about this region without mentioning the architecture. In the 1930s and 40s, Jewish architects like Henry Hohauser designed many of the iconic Art Deco buildings in South Beach. Back then, Jews weren't even allowed to live in certain parts of the beach or stay in certain hotels. They built their own.
Today, that history is preserved in the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. It’s housed in two restored historic synagogues. It’s a reminder of how far the community has come—from being excluded to basically running the show in many industries.
The food scene is changing too. Forget just matzah ball soup. Now you’ve got high-end kosher steakhouses, Israeli fusion spots like Motek, and even kosher sushi everywhere. It’s a sophisticated, global food culture.
Challenges Facing the Community
It isn’t all sunshine and rugelach. The cost of living is skyrocketing.
Housing inventory in places like Highland Lakes or Boca is incredibly tight. If a house goes on the market near a popular synagogue, it’s gone in days, often with multiple cash offers. This is pricing out some of the younger families that the community is trying so hard to attract.
There’s also the issue of rising antisemitism, which unfortunately hasn't spared Florida. However, the local government has been very proactive. Florida has some of the toughest laws in the country against antisemitic "flyering" and harassment, which makes many residents feel safer here than in other big cities.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to connect with the community or are thinking about a move, you've gotta do more than just look at Zillow.
- Visit for a Shabbat: If you’re religious or just curious, spend a Saturday in a neighborhood like Surfside or West Boca. Walk around. You’ll see the community in action.
- Check the Federations: The Jewish Federations of Miami-Dade, Broward, and South Palm Beach have incredible resources for newcomers, from job boards to school directories.
- Explore the History: Spend an afternoon at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach. It’s one of the most moving sites in the country. Then hit the Jewish Museum of Florida to see the "pioneer" side of things.
- Eat Local: Skip the chains. Go to a place like Zak the Baker in Wynwood or a traditional deli like Pomperdale in Fort Lauderdale.
The story of Jews in South Florida is still being written. It’s a story of resilience, growth, and a whole lot of Latin-Jewish fusion. Whether you're here for the bagels or the business opportunities, there’s no denying this community is the heartbeat of the region.
Stay informed by following local community papers like the Jewish Journal, which covers everything from synagogue news to local politics. If you're moving, reach out to local "Shalom Miami" or "Shalom Boca" welcome programs—they're designed specifically to help you find your footing in this fast-moving environment.