Government officials address antisemitism at Sarasota Town Hall briefing

Tampa, FL — Tuesday afternoon, more than 1,200 people participated in a Town Hall Briefing on antisemitism organized by seven Florida Jewish federations (Orlando, Tampa, Gulf Coast, Sarasota/Manatee, Lee/Charlotte, Greater Naples and AJC West Coast Florida). This was assembled in response to the recent vandalizing of the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg on May 27. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said, “The Florida Holocaust Museum was vandalized by a person or group on May 27, 2021 with antisemitic /racially biased graffiti. We need the assistance of our community to find the people responsible for this hurtful act. We want to let the vandals know that we won’t tolerate this criminal activity in our city, state, or country.”

Led by Jewish Federation of Sarasota Board president, Randon Carvel, participants heard about the alarming rise in antisemitic acts and how they could stand up to hateful actions. In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in person and online, including Jews being beaten in New York and Los Angeles and their religious institutions threatened and vandalized in Florida. This comes at a time when antisemitism, hate crimes, and ethnically and racially motivated extremism remain at historic highs.

State Senator Joe Gruters, who introduced Governor Ron DeSantis, stated that business leaders need to step up and defend Israel. He also expressed pride in HB 741, that defined antisemitism.

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “Florida, regardless of party, has no tolerance for antisemitic behavior. We need to go on the offense against antisemitism. We need to speak with one voice. We are going to stand strong with our Jewish brothers and sisters.” 

DeSantis went on to share many of the partnerships Florida has had with Israeli industry and technology. One example was the problem with blue/green algae in Lake Okeechobee. While on a trade mission to Israel his first year in office, he met with BlueGreen Water Technologies, who specialize in blue/green algae. The company was given a $945,000 state contract to keep the algae in Lake Okeechobee and out of the St. Lucie River sanctuary.

DeSantis is also a strong supporter of Holocaust education in K-12 public schools. He supports safety in all Jewish days schools, allocating $4 million to these schools for security.

Participants were encouraged to post on social media and to demand action from Congress to address the threat of all forms of antisemitism and other types of hate.

Congressman Vern Buchanan said, “The U.S. Jewish community has experienced a disturbing and dramatic rise in anti-Semitism. Violence against Jewish people has no place in our country. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Eliminate Anti-Semitism, I am committed to combating this evil ideology.”

Participants were encouraged to call for doubling the amount of funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $360 million to protect faith-based institutions and fully funding the recently passed Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act.

“The Jewish community is too frequently the victim of assault, threats, vandalism, and other forms of intimidation. We should not need to say this in the 21st century, but now, more than ever, we must stand together to affirm the safety and security of Israel and of our Jewish friends and neighbors here at home.” State Representative Fiona McFarland said. “How do we make it better?” she asked and then answered the question: By educating, having discussions to bridge the gulf between people. 

State Representative Ben Diamond said, “Public officials and private citizens must continue to stand up and speak out against antisemitism and other forms of hatred and bigotry. Too many Americans feel unsafe right now, and we must work together to change that. We can have no tolerance for antisemitic vandalism, harassment or violence. Our communities are stronger when we are united, and we must continue to encourage everyone to educate themselves about the past and about the issues we care so deeply about.’’

The rise of antisemitism around the world and in the United States has been well documented over the last several years; including a recent FBI report indicating that greatest amount hate crimes are directed against Jews. In the past three weeks there has been a 400 percent increase in reported antisemitic activities in the United States.

State Attorney Andrew Warren said, “We start by uniting against hate. But unity isn’t enough. We must fight antisemitism at its source, denounce those who refuse to denounce intolerance, and pledge to combat all forms of prejudice and bigotry.”

Carvel concluded the zoom briefing by encouraging people to come to the Holocaust Museum and learn more about antisemitism in order to be able to speak the truth to those who believe differently.

The virtual event was the first time that these organizations have come together for a statewide joint event.

Christine DeSouza contributed to this article.

What can we do?

• Visit ActAgainstAntisemitism.org and use their toolkit.

• Contact your members of Congress and urge them to take action against antisemitism.

• Speak out Proactively to prevent antisemitism. Be there for each other.

• Act by calling a friend, sign a petition and help repair acts of vandalism.

• Unite by reaching out to allies from synagogues, churches, schools, clubs and other civic groups. Invite guests to your Shabbat dinner table and Jewish holiday celebrations.