Florida Allocates $3.5M for Jewish Schools and Yeshiva Bus Transportation

By FrumNews.com 

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature included a new $3.5 million grant to support busing for Jewish day school and Yeshiva students during the 2024-2025 school year in the state budget.

The grant will be administered by Agudath Israel of America and will help cover the cost of transportation for hundreds of Yiddishe students including many who have not been able to access transportation previously.

Agudah’s Florida Office commended the Governor, “In the wake of an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents and threats, Jewish schools have become more vulnerable targets,” said Rabbi Avrohom Luban, Associate Director of Agudath Israel’s Florida Office.

Providing transportation will enhance the safety of Jewish students and schools by adding an essential layer of protection. Buses will help streamline the drop-off and pickup processes, limiting the number of private vehicles entering school properties and allowing for better control of the area.

“Ensuring that nonpublic school students have access to safe transportation is a priority for Agudath Israel and something we have worked hard to achieve for students around the country, including in Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and now Florida,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel.

“Agudath Israel extends our sincere gratitude to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Lauren Book, and Rep. Mike Caruso for prioritizing this vital transportation funding in the state budget,” said Rabbi Moshe Matz, director of Agudath Israel’s Florida Office.

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The $116.5 Billion budget also includes funding other Jewish-related priorities, such as security infrastructure and Holocaust education, including:

• $20 million in funding is provided to enhance safety measures, hire safety officers, upgrade safety equipment, facilities and technology, and increase security services at Florida Jewish Day Schools and Jewish preschools.

• $5 million in funding for the Museum for Hope and Humanity.

• $1.6 million in funding is provided for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Memorial (formerly Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach), which provides Holocaust programming for students in grades 5 through 12 and in college.

• $1.5 million in additional funding, for a total of $2.1 million, to the Florida Holocaust Museum, for educational operations and to support the construction of an immersive educational theatre space in which students, teachers, scholars, and visitors can interact in real-time through holograph with Holocaust survivors, enhancing the impact these interactions have in engaging, educating, and inspiring future generations about the Holocaust and antisemitism through these irreplaceable voices of lived history.

• $1 million in funding provided for the Holocaust Education Center – Jewish Federation Sarasota Manatee initiative where the tragedies and history of the Holocaust are provided in an educational environment that utilizes an interactive curriculum.

• $1 million in funding for the Mobile Museums of Tolerance, which is a mobile education center utilizing innovative technology and interactive lessons to bring a message of tolerance directly to communities.

• $750,000 in funding is maintained for the Florida Holocaust Museum.

• $350,000 in funding to a Reform Temple in St. Petersburg for security improvements.

• $286,250 in funding for the Last Ones initiative to document Holocaust survivor testimonies.

• $165,000 in funding for the Alpert Jewish Family Service, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service & inSIGHT Traveling Holocaust Classroom.

• $100,000 in funding is maintained for the Florida Holocaust Task Force.

• $700,000 In funding for the preschool program and vocational training programs at the Miami Jewish Montessori.