Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Dear Members of the Northeast Florida Jewish Community, We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to address a deeply concerning incident that has recently taken place in our community. A Nazi flag was publicly displayed in Jacksonville, an act that has profoundly disturbed and angered us all. This act of hatred and antisemitism, which attempts to compare contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, is not only reprehensible but a direct affront to our Jewish community and our history. One Nazi flag in Northeast Florida is too many. Just last week, Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council President Ron Salem commemorated and proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Jacksonville. This act of bigotry starkly contrasts with the message of unity and respect celebrated during that proclamation. Our Jewish Federation & Foundation’s Community Security Initiative Director, Alex Silverstein, is actively working with the Secure Community Network (SCN), Sheriff TK Waters and his team at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), and the local Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to address this incident and ensure our community’s safety. Our focus as a Jewish community remains on fostering acts of tolerance and respect that unify our city, rather than succumbing to acts of hatred and bigotry that seek to divide us. Our Jewish Federation & Foundation’s Jewish Community Relations Council Director, Nelson France, is working closely with city, state, and federal elected officials to collectively condemn this act. This flag was flown on Holocaust Survivors Day and D-Day, adding to the pain and anger felt by our community. The Jewish community in Northeast Florida, numbering over 15,000, includes Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Publicly flying a Nazi flag is an act of Holocaust trivialization, disrespecting the memory of the six million Jews annihilated during World War II. We call on all people of moral conscience to condemn this act and to speak with a unified voice: the public display of the Nazi flag in the State of Florida will not be tolerated. This incident is a stark reminder that, even 80 years after the Holocaust, we must remain vigilant against antisemitism and bigotry. When an individual publicly flies the Nazi flag, they are celebrating violence and seeking to demonize the Jewish people. We will continue to partner with elected officials and civic, business, and faith leaders to ensure that Jacksonville remains a welcoming, tolerant city where love, light, and unity prevail. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We stand strong together; this is the power of the collective. Sincerely, Mariam Feist, CEO Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Join Jewish Federations of North America this Friday, June 7 at 12 PM ET for our Pride 2024 Jewish Community Briefing. We’ll discuss the current climate for LGBTQ+ Jews and their loved ones, share safety and security considerations, best practices for crisis communication, as well as resources for communities and individuals participating in pride celebrations. Register here: https://ow.ly/9bPN50S8MzW

Jewish Federations of North America extend our deepest condolences to the families of Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell. The four men were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 and murdered while in captivity. May their memories be a blessing. It is time for every single remaining hostage to come home.

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Our very own Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Director, Nelson France, is featured in today's edition of EJewish Philanthropy's 'Your Daily Phil'! #ItsMomentsLikeThis #JewishNEFL

Because of you and your generosity, Israeli evacuees in Eilat are getting shelter, supplies, strength and all the love:

Jewish Federations are appalled by the antisemitic attempted firebombing at Federation CJA West Island & Congregation Beth Tikvah in Montreal. We hope and pray that those who perpetrated this attack will be swiftly brought to justice.

So grateful and appreciative of our elected officials and law enforcement officers who stand in solidarity with Israel especially today.