Broward’s Jewish community is ready to go public.
Recent events, such as the war in Israel and antisemitic incidents in the United States, have forced a reckoning. The result: Community members want to be more open about their beliefs and Jewish identities in broader society. They also want more learning experiences and social events with their fellow Jews.
These are some of the conclusions of Ignite Broward, a four-month survey of the Jewish community by the Jewish Federation of Broward County that included interviews with 1,400 residents conducted by 50 volunteers.
“People are looking for more on-ramps into the Jewish community,” said Doug Berman, the federation’s board chair. “They want to get more involved in Jewish life, whether it’s going to a rally, listening to a speaker or attending a class. We have to figure out how to give them that.”
Berman described the research process as a “mega focus group” that explored the needs of the county’s Jewish population and what kinds of interactions they would appreciate.
Broward’s Jewish population has seen lots of ups and downs over the past few years. There are about 176,000 permanent residents, according to Jewish Federation research from last year. That’s down from 243,000 in 1997 but up from 149,000 in 2016.
The new report shows about half of the population is in the 45-64 age range and the vast majority were born outside of Florida.
The community also tends to congregate together, with half of the population concentrated in just a few cities: Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Davie and Parkland.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in many ways, as many Jews moved to Florida from northern states. Businesses have responded to the influx, as several new kosher restaurants and markets have opened, such as KC Market, which unveiled a second Broward store late last year in Hallandale Beach.
In another response to the pandemic, some Broward Jews have rethought their synagogue attendance, resulting in a recent congregational merger. On June 1, Broward Central Synagogue opened as the fusion of two Reform houses of worship: Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation and Temple Beth Orr in Coral Springs. Each campus is maintaining its name, religious services and clergy.
About 900 families were members of Beth Orr from 2000 to 2010, but the number fell to 125 families in recent years. The congregation’s former president, Mathew Meyer, said many Jews realized during the pandemic that they could connect with fellow Jews in their homes or in smaller venues, reducing the need for the synagogue as a social and religious gathering place.
Meanwhile, Kol Ami has grown from 550 families three years ago to 750 today.
Still, the survey showed the majority of Broward Jews are not involved in Jewish communal life. Sixty-two percent said they were “not currently engaged in the Jewish community,” although 55% said they would like to get more involved.
Melissa Shiff, a volunteer from Pompano Beach who conducted interviews for the survey, said she was struck by how much Broward Jews want to get involved with the wider Jewish community. She said she spoke with about 50 people, meeting them in coffee shops, offices, their homes and through Zoom.
“People were very honest with me, very raw,” she said. “For many, there was a loss of connection. They want more services, programs and events, so they can reconnect. They really crave that.”
And they want to make that affinity clear to South Florida’s general population, according to the report.
“People expressed a desire to ‘own our Jewishness when engaging beyond our community’ — to be proud and open as Jews in schools, workplace, and public life,” the report said. “In the wake of recent events, there was a call for continued support for Israel and combating antisemitism, to ensure Jews in Broward feel safe and proud.”
MORE FROM THE REPORT ON BROWARD’S JEWISH COMMUNITY
78% feel emotionally attached to Israel.
85% support Israel publicly, even as 30% express concern over specific government actions.
87% are disturbed by rising antisemitism, but 71% feel “physically safe locally.”
28% report financial vulnerability.
23% of households include someone with physical or mental disabilities.
16% identified as non-white.
11% of households include LGBTQ members.
32% of respondents said they were Conservative, 24% Reform and 9% Orthodox. The rest identified as “Just Jewish” or “Culturally/Secular.”
53% have no affiliation with a synagogue.
Take a look at the Jewish Federation of Broward County’s Ignite Broward report by visiting jewishbroward.org/ignitebroward.