Breannah Warrner
Staff Writer
Professor Dr. Mirsad Krijestorac recently took his Social Science Club students to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU in Miami. Once there, students had a chance to explore the story of Jewish communities in Florida, the issues they have faced, the contributions they have made to the regional development, and their beautiful artwork.The Museum is housed in a historic building from 1936 with stained-glass windows with intricate zodiac symbols decorating the walls. A beautiful art deco chandelier hung from the Moorish dome. The exterior walls were covered with brightly colored bas-relief panels. The building, which was originally the first synagogue in Miami Beach, was filled with artifacts revealing the history of the state: photographs, historic posters, religious objects, and antique dresses. The museum features the art of Steve Marcus. Using an underground comic style, the famous artist blended Jewish culture with hot rods and road trip aesthetics. Students have also had a chance to view the art of Eric Finzi, whose family was one of the few Italian Jews to escape the Holocaust for the United States. Perhaps the most interesting part of the current museum setting was a new exhibit on the history of Jews and cannabis. The museum curator explained to students that references to cannabis might have been made in the Hebrew Bible, and that Middle Eastern Jewish communities historically used cannabis for celebrations and festivities. The connection of cannabis with the Jewish community was so strong that President Nixon, who began the War on Drugs, complained about how many Jews promoted cannabis as one of the artifacts in the exhibit shows. Students learned about the large connections American Jews had with cannabis, from scientists like Carl Sagan to poets like Allen Ginsburg. Strong connections were also visible by the display of objects from Jewish marijuana companies, such as a Passover-themed rolling tray, a menorah-shaped bong, and a marijuana leaf kippah. The Jewish Museum is in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami, right next door to the Wolfsonian Museum, South Pointe Park, South Pointe Beach, and several eclectic restaurants and bars. Broward College students enjoyed the visit and appreciated the opportunity to learn about the most comprehensive history of South Florida’s various communities. One of the students, Pierre Lucita, who studies physical therapy said, “I was so happy to learn how the Jewish community manages to overcome challenges and grew to become such an important part of South Florida diverse community.”
