American Jewish history traces its roots back to Colonial America in the 1650s, with Jewish presence in the Southern United States dating as far back as the late 1600s. While the narrative often focuses on the Jewish migration to northern cities like New York, thousands of early Jewish immigrants found their home in the rural South. These pioneers built close-knit communities with unique cultural identities, leaving an indelible mark on the region. Discover the remarkable stories of these Southern Jews, many of whom became national icons, and learn how they helped shape and reshape the South.

Instructor

Born in Miami, Sylvia Gurinsky is a history consultant, tour guide and freelance writer who works with Context Travel, Florida International University and other lifelong learning programs, as well as the Girls Empowerment and Mentoring program at the Women’s Park in Miami. She co-hosts the television series “Roadside Florida” for the Lynn & Louis Wolfson Florida Moving Image Archives. She has worked as an educator and tour guide at History Miami Museum and was a journalist at WPLG-Channel 10 and the Jewish Journal. She is a proud FIU alumnus.

This program is part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Lecture Series at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach.

Prices are:
$25 per person for each individual lecture
OLLI members pay $15 per person per lecture