This autumn, two Southern communities—St. Johns County, Florida, and Beaufort, South Carolina—are marking milestones that shine a spotlight on the enduring legacy and renewed vitality of Jewish life in the American South. Both events, though separated by miles and context, reflect a shared commitment to remembrance, resilience, and the forging of new chapters in Jewish-American history.
In St. Augustine, St. Johns County will host its fifth annual Israel Friendship Day on November 4, 2025. The celebration, scheduled for 8:00 AM at the St. Johns County Administration Building, is more than just a ceremonial occasion. As reported by the St. Johns County Clerk’s Office, it is a statement of solidarity with Israel, a stand against antisemitism, and a reaffirmation of the county’s dedication to freedom and security.
This year’s event carries particular emotional weight. Clerk Brandon J. Patty, speaking on behalf of the county, acknowledged the significance of recent developments: “For the first time in years, the St. Johns County–Israel friendship day will be celebrated knowing the hostages have been released and peace, though fragile, is possible.” His words capture both relief and hope—a sentiment echoed throughout the local Jewish community.
St. Johns County’s relationship with Israel is not limited to cultural exchange or symbolic gestures. The county was the first in Florida to amend its investment policy, barring investments in any entities that boycott Israel. This policy is reviewed annually, a measure designed to ensure ongoing compliance and to underscore the county’s proactive stance against discriminatory practices. Commissioner Krista Joseph, Chair of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, stressed the day’s deeper meaning: “Israel Friendship Day is more than a ceremony—it’s a testament to our shared values of respect, unity, and cultural pride.”
The roots of Jewish life in St. Johns County run deep. Jewish residents have been present since the 16th century, and the region’s first synagogue was inaugurated in 1898—a testament to a long-standing and evolving community. The upcoming event will bring together a diverse group of leaders, including Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein of Chabad of St. Johns County, Rabbi Benjamin Dyme of Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue, Rabbi Levi Vogel of Chabad of St. Augustine, and Nelson France from the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida. St. Johns County Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick will also participate, highlighting the broad-based support for the occasion.
Mariam Shpeen Feist, CEO of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, emphasized the multifaceted nature of the bond between St. Johns County and Israel. According to Feist, “This partnership is one of Northeast Florida’s most important,” reflecting shared democratic values, strategic interests, and historical and cultural ties. The day’s program will not only celebrate friendship but also acknowledge the ongoing need to combat antisemitism and promote understanding.
Meanwhile, in Beaufort, South Carolina, the Beth Israel Synagogue is marking its 120th anniversary—a remarkable feat for a congregation in the heart of the Bible Belt. The white wooden building at 401 Scott Street, with its pitched roof and red brick steps, could easily be mistaken for a Christian church. That was by design. As Linda Neidich Hoffman of the Beaufort County Historical Society explained, many of the synagogue’s founders were immigrants from Eastern Europe and Russia who had experienced violent pogroms. “The synagogue was built to look like churches,” Hoffman said. “They wanted the synagogue to look on the outside like other houses of worship so they didn’t stand out.”
Since its opening in 1908, Beth Israel has maintained continuous services, making it one of Beaufort’s oldest houses of worship. The congregation, currently about 85 families strong, has recently experienced a resurgence, thanks to the arrival of new young families. Lydia Mandel, who heads programming at the synagogue, remarked, “I, personally, think it’s amazing in these little towns in South Carolina there were synagogues all over the state. And this one is still going.”
The 120th anniversary is being celebrated with a two-part program called L’Dor V’Dor, or “generation to generation.” The festivities include talks by Hoffman on the five families who petitioned for the synagogue’s charter—Lipsitz, Schein, Mark, Levin, and Keyserling—as well as a discussion led by Larry Rowland, professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, on the broader history of the Jewish community in the region. On Saturday, Tair Giudice, CEO of the Charleston Jewish Federation, will address the current state of South Carolina’s Jewish community.
Beth Israel’s history is intertwined with the broader narrative of Jewish migration and integration in the South. Jewish families have lived in Beaufort since the mid-1760s, with a continual presence dating back to the 1780s. Many arrived from larger cities like New York, seeking the familiarity of smaller towns reminiscent of their villages in Europe. Notable members of the congregation have left a lasting mark on the city, including two Jewish mayors—David Taub and Billy Keyserling—and Jules “Buster” Levin, architect of the Naval Hospital Beaufort and Robert Smalls High School.
Despite the congregation’s modest size, its spirit remains vibrant. Part-time Rabbi Stephen Stern, who previously led a much larger congregation in New York, has adapted to the unique rhythms of Southern Jewish life. “I just had to listen to the southern style, which is speaking slower and singing slower and being open to adapting to whatever the congregation needs,” Stern reflected. At a recent bar mitzvah, the synagogue’s pews were filled—a sign, Stern noted, of renewed energy and hope for the future. “Now we’re actually thriving because we have new children, and of course old folks love children,” he said.
The synagogue’s conservative denomination, regular Shabbat services, and consideration of reinstating religious instruction all point to a community that, while small, is determined to endure. As Hoffman observed, the region’s growth and Beaufort’s natural beauty have helped attract new families, breathing new life into an institution that has weathered the ups and downs of demographic change. “That old saying, ‘Location, location, location?’ We have it,” she quipped.
Both St. Johns County’s Israel Friendship Day and Beaufort’s Beth Israel anniversary serve as reminders that Jewish communities in the South are not only surviving but, in many ways, thriving. Through acts of remembrance, policy decisions, and the simple act of gathering together, these communities are writing new chapters while honoring the past. Their stories—rooted in resilience, adaptation, and hope—offer a powerful testament to the enduring strength of Jewish life in America’s southern heartland.