Congregation Beth Jacob Scholarship '24 - '25

About this scholarship

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". 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. It is the oldest still standing in Miami Beach.

The scholarship is perpetuated by the family of Jonathan Nelson, former faculty member and Beach High graduate in 1971. Jonathan was the last serving president of the congregation. One or two scholarships are generally awarded to students meeting the general scholarship criteria and who may have been involved in Jewish student organizations in the community or at Beach High.

Previous donors: Jonathan Nelson