Norma Orovitz recalls entering the chapel of Temple Israel – the city of Miami’s oldest reform synagogue – in 1962. It was the Jewish High Holy Days, and she was there with her soon-to-be husband, Michael. An organ played liturgical music, a shock to Norma since she had grown up primarily at Orthodox services, where no music was sung or instruments played. Driving on Fridays and weekends was forbidden.
The experience was a major culture shock.
“It’s ironic because I grew to love reform,” said Orovitz. She later became the first female president of Temple Israel, from 1989 to 1991.
Temple Israel has been a center for religious life in Miami for the last 102 years. This past August, its leaders announced the building would close June 30, 2025, the property would be sold, and they would find a new home for a congregation that has dwindled in recent years.
“It’s too big a building for too small a congregation,” said Miami historian Paul George.
One of the largest religious institutions in the city, Temple Israel grew from a small congregation into a melting pot of not only Jewish life but also the mixed palette of religions and cultures that have made modern Miami. For years, many of its religious leaders worked to bring the inner city together. Currently, a multi-faith congregation, Unity on the Bay, meets there weekly.
The temple was established in 1927 at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 13th Street, the present home of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Five years later, the congregation built a new building at the current location, 137 NE 19th St.
After expanding in the 1930s and 1940s with a religious school and social hall, the temple hired a new rabbi, Joseph Narot, in 1950. As America prospered at the end of World War II, many Jews moved to the area – and some were attracted to the area north of downtown where Temple Israel stood.
Narot also brought in new members. He was the among the first outspoken religious leaders in the synagogue who addressed social issues such as the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.
Back then, Miami was segregated, and African Americans along with Jews were discriminated against heavily at the time. Orovitz shared her experience coming to Miami from New York as a college student and witnessing prejudice.
“I faced both antisemitism on campus and a whole different way of life going to the bus depot in Coral Gables and seeing segregated water fountains,” she said. “I had never seen that in my life.”
At its peak in the 1960s, the synagogue included over 1,800 Jewish families. Its community grew so large that the High Holy Day services in 1968 occurred at the Miami Beach Convention Center. However, in the 1970s, the number of members decreased slowly, as people moved away.
Joseph Narot served as rabbi until his passing in 1980.
George stated, “He was really a heavyweight leader.”
In May 1980, major riots broke out in Miami after the death of Arthur McDuffie and the acquittal of the officers involved. Orovitz shared her story of how Temple Israel was not impacted by the riots due to the outreach done in the past by Narot and other leaders.
“Temple Israel was never touched, never,” she said. “Our reputation preceded us.”
Similarly, throughout the 1980s, the AIDS crisis impacted America greatly. At Temple Israel, Rabbi Rex Perlmeter, the new rabbi at the time, promoted an inclusive community to all, regardless of sexual orientation. According to Henry Wolff Jr., an active member of Temple Israel and a former president, Perlmeter took a stand on the issue and addressed it during his time as a leader in the community when no one else would do so.
After the 1980s, the temple has had many different Rabbis, a steady decrease in members and increasing financial concerns. However, many members of its community have continued to attend services, because the temple has made them feel welcome and supported.
“I felt so passionate about making sure members felt important and belonged,” said Norma Orovitz. “I wanted to make sure that people felt that Temple Israel was their synagogue.”
Many members are saddened by the closing of the Temple in June of 2025. Wolff Jr. shared his thoughts on this.
“It was a shock to read about in the newspaper.” he said. “I was proud to be president of Temple Israel. I think we accomplished a great deal.”
Corrections: A description of Norma Orovitz’s husband was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. Also rabbi Joseph Narot was one of the first activist leaders of the temple, not the very first.
