Florida Atlantic University’s Jewish Studies Program, part of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, will host “The Florida Jewish Experience” symposium on Sunday, Oct. 26 and Monday, Oct. 27 at the Osher Lifelong Learning Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus. The event is free to attend and open to the public. A closing reception will take place Monday evening in the Schmidt Gallery, with tickets available for $45 through FAU’s Box Office.
The symposium aims to bring together scholars from across the country to discuss various aspects of Jewish history in Florida. Lecture topics will cover subjects relevant to the state’s Jewish community.
A highlight of the event is an art exhibition titled “A Century of Jews in Boca Raton (1925-2025),” which runs from Monday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 14. The exhibition traces a century of Jewish life in Boca Raton using photographs, performances, historical documents and personal narratives to explore cultural, social and economic contributions made by Jewish residents over time. It also highlights stories focused on resilience, activism and tradition within South Florida’s evolving Jewish community.
The closing reception offers attendees a themed experience inspired by Florida’s Jazz Age with live music, vintage cocktails and period décor.
“The symposium brings together scholars from around the country to discuss subjects surrounding Jewish history in Florida,” according to organizers.
The event is co-sponsored by several organizations including the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation; FAU’s Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights Program; America’s Initiative; and FAU’s Department of History. Reception sponsors are Nathan and Marion Crosby along with S.E. Wimberly Libraries. Exhibition partners include the Boca Raton Historical Society as well as the Jewish Museum of Florida at Florida International University.
More information can be found at www.fau.edu/artsandletters/jewishstudies/events/ or by emailing jewishstudies@fau.edu
