Jul 9, 2024

JCRC Brings South Florida Legislators to Israel

Last month, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County, and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County participated in the first-ever South Florida Legislators Mission to Israel. The journey brought 10 state senators and representatives from Florida to the Jewish State to learn about its religious and cultural diversity, witness first-hand the security threats the country faces, experience the strength and vibrancy of Israeli democracy and explore opportunities for collaboration between their home communities and Israel. The 10 participants, most of whom visited Israel for the first time, represent districts throughout Florida. They are Rep. Robbie Brackett, Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Sen. Jason Brodeur, Sen. Alexis Calatayud, Rep. Jennifer Canady, Rep. Hillary Cassel, Rep. Tiffany Esposito, Rep. Mike Gottlieb, Rep. Vicki Lopez, and Sen. Rosalind Osgood. 

The seeds for this trip were planted in March when Sen. Alexis Calatayud reached out to Josh Sayles, our Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council Director with the idea of organizing a trip to Israel with a group of state senators. Sayles then engaged the leadership of our neighboring South Florida Federations to expand the initiative. The week-long trip was packed with high-level briefings, VIP tours, meetings with a diverse representation of Israelis, visits to religious and historic sites, and of course, the opportunity to witness the Federation system's response to the barbaric attacks of October 7. The group met with MK Speaker Amir Ohana of Likud, MK Michael Biton of National Unity, MK Merav Cohen of Yesh Atid, US Deputy Chief of Mission Stephanie Hallett, Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who defended Israel at the Hague Dr. Tal Becker, CEO of Share Zedek Medical Center Prof. Ofer Merin and family members of hostages and former hostages.

While the sites and meetings in the formal program were tremendously impactful, the impromptu interactions with Israelis were just as important. The conversations the legislators had with waiters, taxi drivers and soldiers added depth and breadth to their understanding of Israel and its society. State Representative Vicki Lopez called the trip “eye opening and life altering on so many levels.” She said, “I was struck by the level of maturity of the young adults, all of whom had a clear and deep understanding of their government and the important issues facing Israel. The resilience of the Israeli people is not lost on anyone who spends a few days in the country. They are determined to defend and protect their state, people and property.” She added, “I return home more committed than ever to supporting Israel, her people and the Jewish community in Florida and, in particular, those who live in House District 113.”

One of the members of the delegation, who is a Black pastor, shared with Sayles that before the trip she knew there was a lot of pain in the Jewish community, but only now was she able to understand why there cannot be an unconditional ceasefire that would allow Hamas to remain in power. She pledged to communicate what she learned with her colleagues in the Florida Black Caucus and in her church so that they, too, can hear this perspective.

According to Sayles, the mission had two goals: The first was for the elected officials to understand the impact that Israel — and whatever happens there — has on the local community in Florida, and particularly on the Jewish community. The second was for them to understand that Israel is surrounded by terrorist groups that are a threat not just to Israel, but also a boon to anti-democracy movements around the globe, and that many of the pro-Palestinian protestors in Florida are testing the limits of their First Amendment rights in an effort to spread anti-democratic and anti-western values. “They need to understand that everything that happens in Israel — good and bad — affects our lives, affects their Jewish constituents locally,” said Sayles. “The 1,100% rise in antisemitism since October 7 is directly related to the war in Gaza.”   

This trip would not have been possible if the groundwork was not laid out well in advance and if the relationships did not exist, from local government up to the state legislators. Building on the success of this mission and the relationships it fostered, Sayles is preparing to pilot the first statewide Jewish community advocacy day in Tallahassee next year.

To learn more about our JCRC and get involved, email [email protected].