By COLlive staff
On December 18, 2019, the Governor’s Mansion was aglow with the lights of the Chanukah menorah as Governor Ron DeSantis held a menorah lighting ceremony at the mansion in honor of the festival.
Many were in attendance as the Jewish communities of Florida were represented by clergy and community leaders who praised the Governor for his steadfast commitment to their growth and safety. The Menorah was lit by some of the Rabbis in attendance as well as a few of the children.
Rabbi Michael Shields of Temple Israel in Tallahassee gave opening remarks thanking the Governor for the invitation to partake in the special Chanukah ceremony.
He was followed by Shliach Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, executive director of Chabad in Tallahassee, who began by stating that, “It is not a coincidence that this Chanukah event is being held on a Wednesday, the day that G-D created the heavenly illuminations, and that it was being held in the ‘Sunshine State’ and hosted by the two luminaries, the Governor and the first lady, who shine light into our state.” He thanked the Governor for providing kosher food and kosher wine for the event.
The Rabbi explained that Chabad of Tallahassee is celebrating twenty years of service to the Florida Panhandle and that their tradition of lighting the menorah with the governor started with then-Governor Jeb Bush.
“It started small, by just lighting a menorah in the governor’s office, and it soon progressed into lighting in the Governor’s Mansion,” Rabbi Oirechman said.
“The reason why we light in a public place is because the Lubavitcher Rebbe said that the message of Chanukah and freedom of religion applies to everyone. We have a Governor who believes strongly in those freedoms of religion as well,” Rabbi Oirechman concluded.
Rabbi Oirechman then introduced Rabbi Mordechai Palgon, Dean of Yeshivah Toras Chaim / Toras Emes, a yeshivah that encompasses over 1000 students in and around the Miami and North Miami Beach community, explained that they have been one of the largest beneficiaries of this administration’s commitment to excellence and education. “This is a rare privilege for us to personally thank all of the public servants who so selflessly work to help us champion the loftiest ideals and values,” remarked Rabbi Palgon.
He then praised the Governor, Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for providing safety during the holidays which allows hundreds of students and their families to walk the streets safely and without worry.
Gabriel Groisman, the Mayor of Bal Harbor, took the podium to deliver a warm introduction of the Governor. “We don’t need to be reminded that, in every generation, people rise up to destroy us,” stated Groisman. “We must all know that today, we don’t fight alone. We have friends all over the world…and one of our greatest friends and greatest allies in the public sector, in elected office, is Governor Ron DeSantis.”
Groisman remarked how he and the Governor “sat together on panels to fight the anti-Semitic BDS movement and later he created a Middle East advisory committee to combat anti-Israel sentiments. He signed the waiver when President Trump wanted to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and took serious action, going to Israel and speaking to the press to push this issue, creating nonstop pressure on the administration and on the Jewish community to stay steadfast,”
“Most recently,” Groisman explained, “the Governor strongly supported the anti-Semitism legislation that passed last year in Florida. Everyone was celebrating the signing of the anti-Semitism legislation by the President in his executive order last week, but people should know that the leader of that initiative was Governor Ron DeSantis.”
Groisman then turned the podium over to the Governor. The Governor related that he led a small delegation to Israel to look over sites where they could move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“At that time, I wanted to go to the old city to buy some great things that I could give out at my daughter’s baptism here in the Mansion,” recalled the Governor. “I had State Department security and I was told that they could not take me there because the State Department was not allowed to take anyone to the old city of Jerusalem. It was the policy at that time not to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and in reality, look at it as occupied territory. But that all changed because we made an impact.” The Governor proudly stated that he led the largest delegation that has ever gone from Florida to Israel. “The vast majority had never been in Israel before,” explained the Governor.
The Governor quipped that, “When I was at the Western Wall, I prayed for the hurricanes to give us a break. Hurricane Dorian looked like a direct hit and abruptly turned north and missed us. I never saw that before. I must go back and pray more.”
Mark Rosenberg, Chaplain of Florida Highway Patrol and Director of Chesed Shel Emes in Florida, was introduced and spoke about the relationship between Governor DeSantis and the Jewish communities of Florida. “It is wonderful that we have a warm and sincere relationship with your office,” he told the Governor. “Whether it be the safety of our children, the holiday detail that runs through your office or our religious needs when it comes to the dignity of death and Jewish culture, we know we can rely on you and your staff.”
Rabbi Rosenberg gave a shout-out to Executive Director Teddy Rhodes, Colonel Spaulding from Florida Highway Patrol, and Commissioner Swearingen.
Rabbi Oirechman made a special mention of Director Ron Perez of the Miami Dade Police Department for his constant accessibility as well as his professional and personal friendship over the years.
Mark Rosenberg asked all present to solemnly remember those who died in the Jersey City shooting. “I want you to know that just as all life deserves dignity, so does every death,” said Rosenberg. “May this time of light over darkness, bring love, hope and unity to that shattered community.” Rosenberg was praised for his “open house” before each Jewish holiday to conduct training seminars and orientations for FHP and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
After the speeches, the Governor’s family was presented with a “Dreidel of Life” award expressing the family’s ability to “Turn” the lives of their constituents into happy and hopeful ones. The Governor was presented with a special Menorah presentation as well.
“Although the ceremony was held in the Governor’s Mansion…we all felt like we were at home,” exclaimed a guest at the event.
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