South Florida has long been a hub for Jewish life, but today, the region—especially Miami—stands at the center of something bigger. It’s not just the palm trees, kosher dining, or beachfront synagogues that define the area. It’s the powerful convergence of Orthodox vibrancy, strong Zionist support, political conservatism, and community-driven pride that’s reshaping the American Jewish landscape.
Former Bal Harbour Mayor Gabriel Groisman calls Miami “the epicenter of Jewish life in the United States.” And he’s not exaggerating. From five synagogues in walking distance to vibrant Jewish schools, events, and institutions, the region has become a magnet for Jews who want not only to live Jewishly, but to do so openly, confidently, and proudly.
A Unified Voice for Israel
What truly sets South Florida apart is its unflinching support for Israel. While many American Jewish communities show division or declining connection to the Jewish state, Miami’s Jewish population—especially in areas like Bal Harbour, Surfside, and Boca Raton—are unified, energized, and vocal in their Zionism.
Groisman himself spends significant time in Israeli towns across Judea and Samaria, and even has a street named after him in a settlement near Jericho. As a close ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, he played a major role in the first agreement between a U.S. public university and one in a West Bank settlement. For Groisman and many others in South Florida, the support for Israel includes not just the state, but the whole Biblical Land of Israel.
This strong ideological foundation is backed by numbers. In Miami-Dade, 62% of Jewish residents said they felt “very attached” to Israel. Nationally, that number is much lower. And with less than 16% intermarriage—compared to the national rate of over 60%—South Florida’s Jewish community isn’t just holding on. It’s thriving.
From Argentina to Bal Harbour: A Story of Escape and Empowerment
Groisman’s passion for Jewish strength didn’t appear out of nowhere. His family fled Argentina’s military dictatorship in the 1970s during the “Dirty War.” Like many Latin American Jews in Miami, that history of political persecution left a permanent imprint.
The influx of Jewish families from countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru created a dynamic, diverse, and fiercely pro-Israel population. When you’ve faced government tyranny and violence, you value strength, tradition, and self-defense. That’s a thread running through much of Miami’s Jewish identity.
Miami is home to one of the most visible and active Jewish advocacy networks in the country. Groisman helped pass the first municipal anti-BDS ordinance in the U.S., and later spearheaded efforts to define antisemitism at the city level. That definition is now used by over 30 police departments across South Florida. He doesn’t mince words: “I don’t put up with the image of Jews as weak people. We have to fight back.”
Jewish Republican Momentum
That fighting spirit isn’t confined to local activism. It’s shaping national politics. Florida State Senator Randy Fine—now Congressman Randy Fine—is a Jewish Republican who won a heated special election against a controversial anti-Israel Democrat, Joshua Weil. Fine, a vocal Zionist, received public support from former President Donald Trump and ran on a platform that strongly emphasized Israel and Jewish security.
Weil, by contrast, had previously accused Israel of war crimes and called for an end to U.S. support for the Jewish state. The voters in Florida’s 6th Congressional District responded loudly and clearly: Fine won by 14 points. It was more than a local win—it was a message.
The Republican Jewish Coalition celebrated the victory, noting that “more and more Jewish voters are moving to the GOP.” This is particularly true in South Florida, where Jewish conservatives have found fertile ground.
Tradition, Conservatism, and the Next Generation
Josh Hammer, a rising star among Jewish conservative thinkers, moved to Miami in 2021. For him, the decision was both political and personal. “This has become a real hub for people of my political orientation,” he said. What began as a search for warmer weather and lower taxes turned into a spiritual homecoming. He met his wife—a proud Israeli American—and embraced a more observant Jewish lifestyle.
Hammer criticizes what he sees as the collapse of tradition in liberal Jewish spaces. “If you’re so vehemently anti-tradition that eating a cheeseburger at a synagogue event is fine, you’re not going to have any attachment to conserving tradition.” His vision aligns with thinkers like Yoram Hazony, advocating for a Jewish and conservative public life—one rooted in Torah, nationalism, and communal values.
For Hammer and many others, Florida offers a blueprint: a place where Jews don’t just survive, but thrive—strong, proud, and unapologetic.
A Bubble of Strength Amid Rising Antisemitism
In today’s climate, safety is not a small concern. With antisemitism rising in major cities, Miami has become a rare bubble of protection and support. After October 7th, when Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel, Miami’s Jewish community was among the most active in supporting victims. Israeli flags filled the streets, hostages’ faces covered entire buildings, and over $30 million in emergency funds were raised by Miami philanthropists.
Compared to other parts of the U.S., where Jews have reported feeling targeted or unsafe, South Florida stands apart. It’s not just about public displays of solidarity—it’s the day-to-day atmosphere. People feel free to wear a kippah, post a mezuzah, or wave an Israeli flag without fear.
This isn’t just about avoiding hate—it’s about embracing pride. As one blogger recently shared, “The way I can openly show my support for Israel and love for being Jewish without comment is merely fantastic.” Whether you’re attending a kosher boxing fundraiser for the IDF or davening in one of the many synagogues across Bal Harbour, the community provides a rare kind of comfort.
Miami: Model or Exception?
So what does it all mean? Is Miami the future of American Jewish life—or an outlier?
The truth is likely somewhere in between. Miami’s Jewish community is strong, growing, and unafraid to take bold stances. It embraces tradition, community, and Israel with an intensity that’s rare elsewhere in the U.S. But it also reflects a broader trend: Jewish Americans are increasingly moving toward conservatism, both religiously and politically.
For those who worry about the survival of Jewish identity in the diaspora, Miami offers hope. It’s a community where intermarriage is low, Jewish pride is high, and Israel is a non-negotiable part of the conversation. And for those who feel alienated from progressive Jewish spaces, it’s a home where they can belong.
Whether Miami becomes the model or remains the exception is yet to be seen. But one thing is clear: in a time of rising antisemitism and growing division, South Florida has become the safest—and proudest—place to be a Jew in America.
