Miami Beach in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Congregation Beth Jacob
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
October 16, 1980
Additional marker:
as Beth Jacob Congregation
was placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
on October 16, 1980
Congregation incorporated April 5, 1927
This synagogue erected 1936
Restored as Jewish Museum of Florida 1995
(Marker Number 80000946.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1927.
Location. 25° 46.351′ N, 80° 8.069′ W. Marker is in Miami Beach, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Avenue. Today known as the Jewish Museum of Florida, the former Congregation Beth Jacob occupied two adjacent buildings: the Synagogue, and the Social Hall, at 301 and 311 Washington Avenue, respectively. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301-311 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach FL 33139, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sephardic Jewish Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Scarface (approx. 0.4 miles away); 209 9th Street / 900 Collins Avenue (approx. half a mile away); South Beach Art Deco District (approx. 0.6 miles away); Barbara Baer Capitman – Historic Preservationist (approx. 0.6 miles away); Alfredo Gonzalez, Sr. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Casa Casuarina (approx. 0.7 miles away); Barbara Baer Capitman (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami Beach.
More about this marker. The first of the two NRHP plaques is mounted on the front of the old Social Hall (311 Washington Avenue), to the left of the stairs. The second plaque is mounted on the front of the larger Synagogue building (301 Washington Avenue), to the right of the stairs.
Regarding Congregation Beth Jacob. Congregation Beth Jacob established Miami Beach's first synagogue at 311 Washington Avenue in 1928. By 1936, they had outgrown that building, so a new synagogue was built next door at street number 301. At this point the 311 building became the Social Hall.
In 1980, the buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places under the single listing "Beth Jacob Social Hall and Congregation" (reference #80000946).
In 1995, due to decreased membership, Congregation Beth Jacob vacated the larger 1936 synagogue and consolidated their functions into the original 1928 building. The 301 Washington Avenue building then became the home of the Jewish Museum of Florida. Ten years later the Congregation ceased operations altogether, so the remaining building was purchased by the museum to use for expansion.
Also see . . .
1. Beth Jacob Social Hall and Congregation. article on Wikipedia (Submitted on March 23, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.)
2. Jewish Museum of Florida. Official website (Submitted on March 23, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.)
Additional keywords. Social Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 23, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.