By: Amanda Reseburg

St. Petersburg, Florida, is becoming an unexpected center for Jewish culture, heritage, and creativity. The growing Jewish community in the St. Pete area is flourishing, with Jewish individuals dispersed throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties.

This vibrant hub is, in part, supported by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and its Executive Director, Rabbi Alter Korf. “St. Petersburg has increasingly become a hub for culture in Florida,” says Rabbi Korf.

From performances by well-known Jewish musician Matisyahu to the expanding Chanukah in the City celebration at South Straub Park, the Jewish arts and culture scene is bringing the unique perspectives of Jewish leaders, artists, and storytellers to the St. Pete metro area.

“St. Pete is no longer just a quiet corner of Jewish life,” explains Rabbi Korf. “The community has grown, and the culture seems to be growing alongside it.”

Growth: A Trend in Jewish Life in St. Petersburg

Walking through the vibrant streets of St. Petersburg on certain evenings, you might stumble upon events like a popular Jewish comedy show on the same night the Chabad Center is hosting a thoughtful Holocaust lecture in St. Pete. These prominent Jewish events are experiences that many in the community may not have imagined a decade ago.

“In January, we are coordinating St. Pete’s first-ever large-scale Jewish experience, a citywide celebration centered on Jewish pride and unity,” says Rabbi Korf. “It is designed to bring together music, culture, and comedy, creating a space where every Jew, regardless of background, level of observance, or affiliation, can feel a strong sense of belonging. It invites our broader community to join in solidarity with St. Petersburg’s Jewish community in celebration.”

These broader celebrations are not just about hosting events; they reflect an evolving confidence and visibility for Jewish identity and creativity in the St. Pete area, signaling a noticeable rise in Jewish pride and cultural connection.

Inclusive Spaces Are a Foundation of Community

The Jewish community in St. Pete is deeply committed to inclusivity. For the Chabad Center and Rabbi Korf, inclusivity is not just a catchphrase.

“A community only thrives when people feel like they can walk through the door just as they are and know they’ll be welcomed,” Rabbi Korf explains. “That’s the guiding principle behind all our programming at Chabad.”

For Rabbi Korf and the leadership at Chabad, inclusivity is a multifaceted approach. They have no prerequisites for entry and no expectations of prior knowledge or specific religious observance. The center’s programming is crafted to appeal to attendees of all ages and people from various backgrounds and experiences.

“When people feel included, something special tends to happen: they relax, they open up, and they connect with each other and with their own Jewish identity,” Rabbi Korf says. “That’s what strengthens a community. And in a growing, diverse city like St. Petersburg, building those welcoming spaces isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.”

Education and Tradition

On November 20th, Chabad will host An Evening with Sora Vigorito, a Holocaust survivor and the youngest known survivor of Mengele’s “Experimental Twins.” This event is advertised as an opportunity to hear from a surviving voice from Auschwitz, aiming to provide essential education about faith, resilience, and the horrors of the past that should never be forgotten.

“It’s a chance to hear her story, a story of strength, resilience, and the incredible hope she carried into the life she built afterward,” says Rabbi Korf.

Throughout the evening, guests will also experience a moving performance by cellist Antony Cooke, offering a poignant example of how the arts can elevate educational and traditional experiences.

Alongside the growing Jewish community in St. Pete, Chabad is focused on using experiences like An Evening with Sora Vigorito to emphasize not only remembrance but also resilience, pride, and unity. Events such as these honor the past and help lay the foundation for a strong future.

Belonging Through Creative Cultural Connection

The Jewish arts scene in St. Pete extends beyond cultural performances and holiday celebrations. For Rabbi Korf, the arts are a valuable tool for connection.

“We create experiences that people truly enjoy,” he says. “Whether it’s music, holiday events, speakers, or hands-on activities, cultural moments have a way of opening people’s hearts. They allow people to connect with Judaism in a way that feels natural and uplifting.”

Chabad offers a range of programs designed to meet people where they are and foster cultural connection through the arts and simply being together.

“The idea is simple: come as you are, and you’ll find community. Unity doesn’t require uniformity. We celebrate every Jew as they are, and that naturally builds bridges across the community — and even with our neighbors around the city,” Rabbi Korf explains.

Building the Future of St. Pete’s Jewish Community

This winter, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life will open its new building. For Rabbi Korf, the new building is more than just a structure — it is a home base for everything they value: community, learning, culture, celebration, and Jewish pride.

The new location has been designed to be warm and welcoming to every Jew in the St. Pete metro area. It’s a place where people can attend classes, enjoy performances, have Shabbat dinners, or simply connect with other Jewish community members.

“As our city grows, having a true center — a place that belongs to the whole community — will allow us to offer more programs, reach more people, and build an even stronger, more vibrant Jewish future in St. Pete,” says Rabbi Korf. “We’re excited for what’s ahead, and grateful to be building it together with this incredible community.”