Whether you're a member of the Jewish faith, have Jewish roots or are simply interested in Jewish history, the Jewish Museum of Florida makes for 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 who are taking the Miami Beach Walking Tour.

Jewish Museum Exhibits

The Jewish Museum features a core exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida that chronicles the history of the Jewish experience in Florida. MOSAIC features four multimedia components:

1. A wall showing the timeline of Jewish history, both in Florida and within the context of international Jewish history
2. The MOSAIC core exhibit which includes materials presenting the history of the Jewish people in Florida using seven major themes:
   • Who are Florida’s Jews?
   • Life Cycles and Jewish Rituals
   • Building Community
   • Discrimination against Jews
   • Land of Opportunity
   • Acculturation
   • History and Mission of the Jewish Museum
3. Three audio-visual presentations featuring information about the Jewish faith and history:
   • Synagogue to Museum which highlights the history of the museum itself as it transformed from a site of religious worship to a historical museum open to the public.
   • Jewish Settlement in Florida which 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.

1. The physical museum which dates back to 1929, when it was the first synagogue in Miami Beach.

In addition to the permanent MOSAIC exhibition, the museum also features one or more temporary exhibitions at any given time. The 2011-2013 temporary exhibition schedule 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)
• Wooden Synagogues of Poland & The Florida Connection (September 2011 - March 2012)
• Final Mourner’s Kaddish: 333 Days in Painting (January-May 2012)
• Once Upon a Time in Lithuania & The Florida Connection (April-October 2012)
• Mel Finkelstein: Picturing the Man Behind the Camera (May-October 2012)
• Florida Jews in the Food Industry (November 2012 - May 2013)
• Project Maj Jongg (October 2012 - January 2013)
• Miami Mosiac: Portraits by Inez Hollander (February - May 2013)

Jewish Museum Location

The Jewish Museum is located on Miami Beach. If you are coming from the mainland, take the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach. Continue straight off the causeway onto 5th Street and turn right onto Washington Avenue. The museum is two blocks away, at 301 Washington Avenue. You may wish to read more about Parking on Miami Beach before leaving for your trip.

Other Area Attractions

If you’re visiting Miami Beach, be sure to read about the Top Ten Things to Do on Miami Beach. If you’re planning a trip to the museum, you might want to stay in one of our Top Miami Beach Hotels.

Hours of Operation

The Jewish Museum is open from 10AM until 5PM, six days a week. The museum is closed on Mondays as well as on 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 six and holders of the Go Miami Card on all other days.