The legislators in Florida unite to protect Jewish College students in the budget -Push

A cross-party dream team from Florida's legislators urges new state financing to improve security and culture protection for Jewish students at three of the most prominent universities in the state: the University of Florida (UF), Florida State University (FSU) and the University of South Florida (USF).

The proposal tries to strengthen physical security, counteract misinformations and strengthen the relationships of the community in order to react to increasing concerns about anti-Semitism on the college campus by supporting Hillel organizations on the UF, FSU and USF using a model that combines safety improvements with education and relationship structure.

While Florida has invested considerably in security for Jewish K-12 schools and community centers, this initiative is the first major efforts to expand committed funds for the protection of Jewish college students. If Florida is adopted, Florida would be the first state to implement a large, data-driven program that explicitly aims at the security of the Jewish students at college level.

Sen. Danny BurgessA Republican of Zephyrhills who campaigned for the USF financing request emphasized the importance of a proactive approach.

“This is about taking measures – not only to react to anti -Semitism, but also to actively work on preventing it,” said Burgess. “Usf, UF and FSU lead the indictment and we hope that these efforts can serve as a successful model elsewhere.”

In the United States, College campus have become breeding grounds of anti -Semitic rhetoric and violence. National data from the anti-defamation League (ADL) found that 83% of Jewish college students experienced or saw a form of anti -Semitism after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with more than a quarter (27%) reporting anti -Semitic activities of the faculty.

These trends are also obvious in Florida.

“Florida has done more to protect the Jewish residents than in any other state, but here too there are considerable challenges” Karen CypherPartner at Sachs Media and Vice President of the Tallahassee Jewish Federation. “We have regularly freed residents of anti -Semitism in Florida since 2018, and the trend line is annoying. In the past two years alone, the share of Floridians who believe that Jews are responsible for what happened to them in the Holocaust, and even more worrying is the steady proportion of young people who say that Hamas was justified when executing the attack on October 7. “

This victim seems to correlate with current events. Several Florida voter surveys by Sachs Media Last year, 40% of Floridians under the age of 45 show that Hamas was justified in their attack on Israeli civilians.

In order to counteract these trends, this proposed initiative includes more security personnel, surveillance and training; Cultural programs that celebrate the Jewish heritage and promote understanding; Educational initiatives to combat misinformation and anti -Semitism; Community public relations through committed connections to improve campus relationships; And advice and training for students affected by anti -Semitism.

Sen. Corey SimonA Tallahasee Republican emphasized that the funding application at the FSU directed how important it is to ensure that all students feel safe on campus.

“We cannot allow anti -Semitism to pour our campus,” said Simon. “Every student deserves to feel safe to express his identity, and these efforts ensure that Jewish students have this right at the FSU and all of Florida.”

Democratic representative. Fentrice Driskell von Tampa, which was committed to the part of the financing of USF, described the initiative as necessary for the security and the cultural understanding of the students.

“We are obliged to ensure that every student feels safe on campus,” said Driskell. “Security is based on a feeling of understanding, and this project focuses on the structure of this type of bridges.”

The proposal by Sen. is supported at UF. Stan McClain by Ocala and Rep. Chad Johnson from Chiefland, both Republicans.

“Education should be a space for dialogue and learning, not for fear and intimidation,” said McClain. “This financing will help UF remain a safe and inviting environment for Jewish students.”

“If approved, this funding would make Florida the first state that implemented a large-scale, data-controlled initiative that focuses on the safety of the Jewish students at college level,” said Johnson.

Democratic representative. Allison Tant Florida's leadership role in the protection of Jewish communities emphasized by Tallahassee, who led the efforts to the FSU.

“Florida led the path to the protection of Jewish communities, and the State Florida supported exemplary,” said Tant. “This is the next step to strengthen these efforts from a basis. What we do here can serve as a national model. “

Proponents argue that the effects of the initiative go beyond security and will help to change campus culture by promoting and dispersing harmful misinformation. Brian PelcThe managing director of Hillel an der FSU emphasized the unique support of the Jewish communities in Florida compared to other states.

“Jewish communities in Florida receive support from our public institutions, including state leaders and university administration, far beyond what experiences of the same age in other parts of the country,” said Pelc. “This project is intended to ensure that we build on these efforts by improving our communication, deepening understanding and strengthening relationships to alleviate the spread of anti -Semitism.”

With strong support for party support, supporters remain optimistic about the consent of the initiative in the upcoming legislative period.

“Jewish students of the USF should feel and support both physically and culturally on our campus and in our surrounding communities,” said Sylvie FeinmithExecutive Director of Hillel at USF. “This initiative not only enables us to improve security, but also to invest in education and relationship structure, which ensures that misinformation and anti -Semitism have no place in our community.”

“These efforts are more than just protection. It is about reinforcing a campus climate in which Jewish students thrive without fear and in many beautiful ways of culture, life and academics on campus. By strengthening security and promoting a better understanding, we ensure that Uf remains a place of learning, respect and inclusiveness for everyone, ”said Rabbi Jonah ZinnExecutive Director of Hillel at UF.

“By assigning these means to protect Jewish students and organizations on university premises, she will continue his commitment to his Jewish community, which is exposed to an alarming increase in anti -Semitism” Daniel FrankRegional manager of ADL Florida. “All students should be free to learn in an environment without being afraid to have their security and participate in campus activities without being afraid of harassment or intimidation.”

These financing inquiries (forms 2206, 2318 and 3321 in the house and the forms 2938, 1508 and 1681 in the Senate) will be checked and will be discussed in the coming months.

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