Sen. Rick Scott Convenes Jewish Community Leaders in Jacksonville for Conversation on Combatting Antisemitism

This press release from Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) was published on 2026-05-29 and titled "Sen. Rick Scott Convenes Jewish Community Leaders in Jacksonville for Conversation on Combatting Antisemitism".

Sen. Rick Scott Convenes Jewish Community Leaders in Jacksonville for Conversation on Combatting Antisemitism

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Senator Rick Scott met with Jewish community leaders yesterday at Etz Chaim Synagogue in Jacksonville, Fla. for a discussion on the rise of antisemitism across the nation, and how local and federal leaders can best support the Jewish community. Prior to the roundtable, Senator Scott toured the Torah Academy of Jacksonville and met with students. Senator Rick Scott said, "In 1789, George Washington wrote to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island that 'America gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.' That's the America we must to return to. Over the last decade, antisemitic incidents have increased almost 900%. Congregations have to consider the unthinkable and prepare for the worst. I hate that this is how communities have to live in America, but we have to tackle it with a clear conscience. The only way out is to identify the issues and counter them." Senator Scott was joined by: Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Etz Chaim Synagogue Rabbi Aharon Yosef Green, Etz Chaim Synagogue Rabbi Joseph Hamaoui, Torah Academy Jacksonville Andrew Jaffa, Lay Leader Jennifer Plotkin, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida Adam Chaskin, Jewish Community Alliance Aaron Bernstein, Prior Jewish Family Services Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov, Chabad Jacksonville Rabbi Velvil Kahanov, Chabad Jacksonville BACKGROUND: Senator Scott has been a steadfast supporter of Israel and the Jewish community throughout his time as Governor of Florida and in the U.S. Senate. Recent actions include: Leading Senate passage of the bipartisan resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and condemning antisemitism earlier this month. Read more: Sen. Rick Scott's Jewish American Heritage Month Unanimously Passes Senate Reintroducing the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act, legislation to hold colleges and universities accountable when they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Read more: Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Antisemitism on College Campuses Meetings with Jewish leaders, students and community organizations throughout Florida to discuss security, religious freedom and ways to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism. Following Iran-backed Hamas' horrific attacks on Israel, Senator Scott has Traveled several times to Israel to meet with Israeli leaders, families of hostages and victims, and reaffirm America's unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself. Senator Scott has also taken the following actions and released the following statements: October 7, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott: America Stands with Israel October 8, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Abraham Accords & Gulf Council Nations to Condemn Attacks, Stand Strongly with Israel October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Senate Republicans Call On Biden To Freeze $6 Billion Iran Transfer October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott to Social Media Companies: Don't Give Terrorism a Global Platform October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues to Biden: Following Hamas Attacks on Israel, Convene the G7 to Jointly Sanction Iran October 11, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Jacky Rosen & Bipartisan Group of Senate Armed Services Committee Members In Requesting Additional Iron Dome Batteries For Israel October 12, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott & Marco Rubio Lead Republican Colleagues in Demanding Answers for Violations of Iran's Nuclear Program Following Brutal Iran-Backed Attacks on Israel October 13, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Meets with Jewish Leaders, Hosts Press Conference on Standing with Israel in Aventura October 17, 2023: PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott Demands that Biden Permanently Rescind $6 Billion Payment to Hamas-Supporting Iranian Regime October 17, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Colleagues: Ban Oil and Natural Gas Imports From Venezuela and Iran October 17, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott, Marsha Blackburn and Colleagues Introduce Bill to End U.S. Aid to U.N. in Hamas-Controlled Gaza October 18, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott & Tim Scott Lead Colleagues in Bill to Freeze $6 Billion to Iran, Probe Additional Iranian Assets October 18, 2023: VIDEO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues: We Stand With Israel, Demand Immediate Rescue of American Hostages October 18, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sens. Joni Ernst & Cory Booker: President Biden Must Do Everything in His Power to Rescue American Hostages October 18, 2023: Senate Democrats Protect Hamas, Block Sen. Rick Scott's Bill to Prevent U.S. Tax Dollars From Funding Iran-Backed Terrorists October 19, 2023: PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott Meets with Jewish Leaders, Hosts Roundtable on Standing with Israel in Boca Raton October 20, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott to Biden: Bring All American Hostages Home Now October 20, 2023: Senators Rick Scott & Roger Marshall Demand Any Aid Package to Israel Not be Jammed With More Ukraine Funding October 23, 2023: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Sen. Rick Scott in the Sun Sentinel: On foreign policy,