Florida's Jewish community reacts to attack in Israel

The Israeli-American Council, the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando quickly pulled together a rally on Sunday, Oct. 8, to show their support for Israel and where many call "home."

T-shirts stating "I Stand With Israel" were available in the foyer of the JCC as approximately 350 people gathered to stand in solidarity. Intermingled with the crowd were Representative Anna Eskamani, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Val Demings, as well as Congressman Maxwell Frost, who stated that antisemitism needs to be fought globally and domestically.

"It's not enough to just say you're against antisemitism. We have to actively be against it, be against racial hatred across the entire world," Frost told Wesh 2 News reporter Liv Johnson.

IAC representative, organizer of the event and Israeli-American citizen Idit Lotringer told the Heritage this was a very emotional gathering. This war is very personal to Lotringer. As with many Israelis who live here in Central Florida, many of her family and friends are still in Israel.

"I'm worried about all the 18, 19, 20-year-old soldiers that are giving their lives for the state to exist, for our homeland," she said.

Speaking at the rally, she said, "We woke up today no less shaken than we were yesterday. We still do not know the full picture. [What we do know is that currently there are over 700 Israelis dead, over 2000 injured and tens of soldiers and civilians missing, among them the elderly, women and children.]

For those of us who remember Yom Kippur, THIS is our Yom Kippur moment.

For those of us who remember 9/11 THIS is our 9/11 moment. 

And for those of us who remember the deportation of women and children to the camps in Europe - THIS hostage situation is OUR deportation moment.

We've been hated before and we will be hated again. 

But we are still here!

We must come together to support one another in this moment, and to show our central Florida community, and the world that we stand united with Israel.

We, the Israeli American community, we are here and we are proud to show up.

WE. ARE. HERE."

Afterward, Lotringer shared on Wesh 2 News, "All the world needs to look upon us and say, 'Israel, we are with you.' That cannot be happening in Israel. It's a small country that's surrounded by enemies. We need a strong hug in order for us to have the ability to continue."

Two Israeli students doing a gap year in the U.S. also spoke to the group of supporters. "We just wanted to say thank you for the support, for everything that you are giving, just for being here," one of them said.

"We will send all these pictures and videos to our families, to our people ... We know we need to share the love of the community in Orlando because we really appreciate it. Thank you very much," another Israeli student said.

A representative from the Jewish National Fund was there as well, and they are accepting donations.

Channel 9 WFTV News reported that Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried released a statement pledging support for Israel.

"I am deeply shaken and saddened by the news of Hamas attacks on Gaza killing hundreds of Israeli citizens and wounding many more," Fried's statement said, in part. "This unprovoked and unprecedented attack on Israel is an act of terrorism that must be condemned by every nation around the world."

Florida Governor and 2024 Republican Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis issued a response to the attacks during a campaign stop in Iowa Saturday morning.

"We stand with the state of Israel who is undergoing terrorist attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas," DeSantis said. "Israel not only has the right to defend themselves against Hamas, they have the responsibility to defend themselves with overwhelming force. We will stand by them when they do."

Protection for Jews in Central Florida

In Orange County, Sheriff John Mina said his department will increase their presence and patrols in areas near Orange County synagogues and Jewish facilities as a precaution.

Flagler Sheriff Rick Staley has directed his deputies to increase their patrols near Flagler County synagogues to help make sure people feel safe.