According to Wikipedia, Polk County (highlighted in red) was created on February 8, 1861 (a month after Florida seceded from the Union). It was named in honor of former US President James K. Polk, whose 1845 inauguration was on the day after Florida became a state.
The history of Temple Emanuel of Lakeland, Florida began in 1932 when a group of 16 families purchased a small building and formally organized as the Lakeland Jewish Alliance. As the Jewish community of Lakeland and Polk County grew and become more organized in the late 1930s and early 1940s and changed it’s name to Temple Emanuel. Temple Emanuel continues to serve the Jewish community of Lakeland, Florida and nearby towns and is considered the center of Jewish life in Polk County. Steeped in a rich history with a forward-thinking approach, Temple Emanuel taps into core values of Judaism to transform lives, explore Jewish values and navigate contemporary life and improve our community. Their egalitarian services respect a wide range of member ritual practices and foster a culture of participation for all ages. Temple Emanuel believes in lifelong learning and their religious school, B’nai Mitzvah program and adult education opportunities keep families engaged, stimulated, and informed. Whether your interests include making social connections, educating your children or participating in social action, or praying at our Friday night and Saturday morning services, celebrating a lifecycle event, or learning to read Hebrew, Temple Emanuel has a wide array of programs that are sure to meet your needs.
The Temple Emanuel of Lakeland Men’s Club aka the Jewish Men’s Club of Polk County was launched in 2024 with a series of monthly breakfast meetings with guest speakers, a screening of the film “I Am Israel” and a hand gun safety and training program at Axcaliber, an indoor axe throwing and virtual shooting range in Lakeland. Recent Men’s Club programs include a discussion about how the recent election results may effect Jews, Anti-Semitism, Israel, our country and the world and a breakfast program about Jewish Athletes, facilitated by club member Mark Brown.
On March 16, 2025, the Polk County Jewish Men’s Club took a field trip to tour and explore the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on the Florida Southern College, one of the twenty-eight Frank Lloyd Wright projects that are considered National Historic Landmarks. “We had a great tour of the Florida Southern College campus led by the highly knowledgeable Brian Renz“, said Men’s Club President Rich Weiss. “Thank you to everyone that participated“.
Looking ahead, the Jewish Men’s Club of Polk County sponsors a monthly lox & bagel breakfast program with a guest speaker on the third Sunday of each month; fresh faces and ideas are always welcome. Upcoming Men’s Club breakfast meetings are scheduled for April 27 (4th Sunday), May 18, June 15 (Fathers Day), July 20 and August 17, 2025. Please email Club President Rich Weiss at MensClub@TempleEmanuelLakeland.com for an invite to the next Men’s Club meeting to meet the guys.
For more information about the Temple Emanuel of Lakeland / Jewish Men’s Club of Polk County Florida, visit: https://templeemanuellakeland.com/ or the Temple Emanuel Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TempleEmanuelLakeland or email Men’s Club President Rich Weiss at: MensClub@TempleEmanuelLakeland.com. or info@templeemanuellakeland.com.
The Jewish Men’s Club of Polk County is a proud member of the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We serve the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Learn more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at: www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit & LIKE our Facebook Group at: www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
The FJMC is a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn how YOUR Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
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