Florida’s Agudath Israel Leads Washington D.C. Delegation to Address Security Needs

By FrumNews.com

Days after the Memorial Day recess, Agudath Israel of America’s Florida Office led a delegation to Washington D.C as part of a series of state missions following Agudah’s National Leadership Mission.

The Florida group, representing many areas from across the state—including Surfside, Miami, Hollywood, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Myers, West Palm, Orlando, and Jacksonville. As well Miami Dade County, Broward County and Palm Beach County which is the district of the many large and growing Frum Communities and Kehillahs of South Florida—gathered in Washington D.C. for a highly productive one-day mission.

Agudah met Florida’s congressional bipartisan delegation, including Senator Rick Scott (R), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-23), Rep. Brian Mast (R-21), Rep. Byron Donalds, (R-19), Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-10), Rep. John Rutherford (R-5), as well as senior staffers from the offices of Senator Marco Rubio (R), Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-3), Rep. Laurel Lee (R-15), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-25), and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-25).

The focus of the meetings was support for Eretz Yisroel in its war against Hamas, the return of the hostages, the alarming rise of antisemitism, and the need to increase the federal nonprofit security grant program to at least $400 million.

Discussions covered what Congress can do to address these issues as well as what constituents can do at home in their districts. Just as importantly, the group expressed their appreciation to officials who have been supportive of the issues and have consistently stood with Eretz Yisroel and the Jewish community. Some meetings were held directly with the members, while others involved their staff, yet all were equally effective.

The group also met with New York Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) and thanked him for his sponsorship of the Antisemitism Awareness Act.

Rabbi Avrohom Luban, associate director of Agudath Israel’s Florida office, summed up the feelings of gratitude in his remarks to Senator Scott: “If we came all the way here, said thank you, and traveled back home, it would be worthwhile just to share those two words with you.”

Yehuda Ginsberg of North Miami Beach explained what he gained from the experience: “We are living through tumultuous times, and each of us has a responsibility to our community. Joining this trip with Agudah was a real opportunity to make a positive impact on policies that truly make a difference.”

Rabbi Yossie Charner, Agudath Israel’s Director of Congressional Affairs who coordinated the mission, added, “While our DC office is active on the Hill throughout the year, these state missions show members of Congress that we have an entire community of constituents behind us which makes a real difference in our advocacy.”