By COLlive reporter
Just days after Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis took his second Oath of Office on Tuesday, he sent a note to be placed at the Kotel in Jerusalem with prayers for the state of Florida.
Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, Chabad Shliach in Tallahassee, Florida, visited the Kotel on Friday, and read the note that Gov. DeSantis entrusted him with to pray for the people of his state on his behalf.
“Heavenly Father, Gov. DeSantis and I pray that you look over our great state of Florida, protect us and keep us safe from storms and other disasters. Protect all your people and give them strength to stand firm in their faith,” read the note, signed by Gov. DeSantis’s Chief of Staff James Uthmeier.
Rabbi Oirechman read the note which he then placed in the Kotel wall as is customary.
The visit came days after the Governor’s inauguration ceremony, held on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee, at a time when the political world is buzzing about his presidential prospects.
“Florida is proof-positive that we the people are not destined for failure,” DeSantis said during a 16-minute speech delivered on the steps of the Historic Capitol. “Decline is a choice, success is attainable, and freedom is worth fighting for.”
DeSantis spoke before more than 4,000 attendees in a speech that was also heavy on Biblical imagery as dark blue banners hung behind him that read, “The Free State of Florida.” The governor pledged that through Florida he would “fight for freedom” against “entrenched bureaucrats in DC, jet-setters in Davos, and corporations wielding public power.”
In attendance were Rabbi Oirechman as well as Florida Shliach Rabbi Alex Kaller. Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky of Ponte Vedra Beach, who knows the Governor from when he was in congress, sent his wishes to the First Lady via phone as he was unable to attend in person.
Also in attendance was David Milstein, liaison to the Jewish community, advisor of DeSantis Re-election Campaign for Jewish and Pro-Israel Outreach, who arranged for the invitations of many Rabbis and Jewish community leaders.
Rabbi Oirechman thanked the Governor for his fight against antisemitism and for his steadfast support of Israel.
“The Governor appreciated these words and re-emphasized his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people,” Rabbi Oirechman said.
