Interfaiths: Building Bridges: A Conversation with Jewish Community Leader Joe Jacoby

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Jacoby, a preeminent leader in the Miami Jewish community and former president of Temple Beth Am, for a profound discussion on history, identity, and the future of interfaith relations.

As a rare Miami native, Joe shares his family’s deep roots in the South (dating back to Pensacola and Mobile) and offers a firsthand perspective on how Miami has evolved from a small town to a global metropolis. We dig deep into the history of antisemitism in Florida—from "Gentiles Only" signs in the past to the complex challenges fueled by social media today.

Crucially, this conversation focuses on the power of connection. We discuss the "portability" of Jewish identity, the core values of welcoming the stranger, and the practical work of building trust between Muslim and Jewish communities. Joe also shares his per ...