Konk Life News Staff/ Einhorn Growing Up A Jewish Conch

 

By Konk Life News Staff

 

For several years, Congregation B’nai Zion has hosted a seasonal series of short Friday night evening services followed by a lecture and a festive Shabbat dinner. On Feb. 7 at the synagogue, Jack Einhorn, the synagogue’s historian and longest-serving president, “Mr. B’nai Zion,” will share memories and observations of Growing Up a Jewish Conch, pre mid-20th century. The community is invited.

 

 

 

Einhorn was born in Key West on May 19, 1923, and grew up in a house at the corner of “Thomas and Division streets, know where that is?” he asked. (Division is now Truman Ave.) The Appel boys lived in the neighborhood and they all grew up together, attending the nearby St. Joseph’s School and then Key West High School. The Jewish children attended the Roman Catholic school because it was a lot closer than the public school – and were assigned chores like “bringing the lunch buckets over from the convent,” instead of attending catechism class.

 

 

B’nai Zion, the oldest synagogue in South Florida, was established 125 years ago and, when Einhorn was growing up, was located at Simonton and Southard streets, where Sarabeth’s is now. There he celebrated his bat mitzvah and his wedding to Rose Kaplan; the Kaplans weren’t Conchs, but they arrived in Key West when Rose and her siblings were small.

 

 

 

For the whole story, join the festivities at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7. A Cuban-style kosher dinner is planned by Rebetzen Nadia Dudai: chalah, romaine salad with vinagrette dressing, plantains/yucca, pescado can salsa (fish in peppers and tomato and onions), rice, pollo con frijoles (chicken with beans), parve flan, cakes, fruit, coffee and tea. The cost is $25. Diners are welcome to being their own kosher wine. Reservations are requested; phone (305) 786- 877-0118 or email [email protected].

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