Joseph Mizrahi, of blessed memory, was born in Jacksonville on March 9, 1919. He was an Eagle Scout and Scout Master, a World War II veteran, a businessman, a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, but above all, he was a devoted Jew who believed, like his father Salim, that one’s synagogue was paramount. He attended services every Thursday morning and Shabbat at the Jacksonville Jewish Center and led Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at River Garden when it was located on Stockton Street. 

While in the Army Joseph married his wife, Dorothy Leventhal, who worked with him in the family business as a buyer for clothing stores located throughout North Florida. The company, started by Salim Mizrahi in 1911, specialized in handmade blouses and fine linens. When the second store opened in downtown Jacksonville in the 1920's, it was named French Novelty, since many of the items carried were imported from France which was considered to be the fashion capital of the world. "Novelty" stood for new, and as a discerning professional buyer, Dorothy played a major role in the growth of the stores.

When asked about his parents, their son Jack fondly recalls, “My father was a gifted pianist with a beautiful voice. He led services at minchah on Yom Kippur, as well as other services, and frequently chanted the Haftorah. My parents, who were happily married for 44 years, both enjoyed music. They were season ticket holders for the Jacksonville Symphony. Wanting others to enjoy music, their children set up the Joseph & Dorothy Mizrahi Jewish Music Fund at the Center. The fund provides financial support to bring musical programs to the synagogue and community. My father’s epitaph taken from Psalm 104 reads, ‘His life was a song to God.’”

Family was important to the Mizrahis. Get togethers were a constant with Joseph and Dorothy hosting Friday night dinners for the entire extended Mizrahi family every week. In 2002, when Joseph established an endowment fund with the Jewish Foundation, he said, “Through my parents and family, I have always felt close to my Jewish heritage. I am continuing their legacy and way of life. I have always felt that those of us who could afford a little should share with those who can’t.” 

The Mizrahi descendants are continuing Joseph’s legacy by participating in philanthropic giving and service to their community. Jack says, “We’re privileged to be able to extend my father’s giving through the Joseph & Dorothy Mizrahi Family Endowment Fund. In this way, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews can continue to support Jewish life for future generations in our community.”