Nov 24, 2023

Congressional Support for Jewish Communal Security

Governor Ron DeSantis convened the State Legislature for a special session earlier this month, passing $45 million in security funding for Jewish organizations as a result of the horrendous rise in antisemitism occurring since the Israel-Hamas war. The funding is divided into two batches: $25 million for Jewish day schools and pre-schools distributed by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and $20 million for synagogues, JCCs and community organizations, which will be distributed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) was intimately involved in lobbying for the funding of FDEM. Its advocacy began nearly two years ago following the synagogue hostage crisis in Colleyville, TX. The application process for FDEM funds opened on November 21 and will close on January 21, 2024, and JCRC is in the process of scheduling a community-wide webinar to assist all Miami-Dade Jewish organizations that would like to apply. JCRC has already communicated with all Miami-Dade Jewish day schools and pre-schools regarding FDOE applications, which have since closed. For more information, email [email protected].