Florida lawmakers unite to shield Jewish college students in budget push

A bipartisan dream team of Florida lawmakers is pushing for new state funding to enhance security and cultural protections for Jewish students at three of the state’s most prominent universities: the University of Florida (UF), Florida State University (FSU), and the University of South Florida (USF).

The proposal seeks to bolster physical security, counter misinformation, and strengthen community ties in response to increasing concerns about antisemitism on college campuses by supporting campus Hillel organizations at UF, FSU, and USF using a model that combines security enhancements with education and relationship-building efforts.

While Florida has invested significantly in security for Jewish K-12 schools and community centers, this initiative marks the first major effort to extend dedicated funding to protect Jewish college students. If passed, Florida would become the first state to implement a large-scale, data-driven program aimed explicitly at Jewish student safety at the college level.

Sen. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican championing the USF funding request, emphasized the importance of a proactive approach.

“This is about taking action – not just reacting to antisemitism but actively working to prevent it,” Burgess said. “USF, UF, and FSU are leading the charge, and we hope these efforts can serve as a successful model elsewhere.”

Across the United States, college campuses have become hotbeds of antisemitic rhetoric and violence. National data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 83% of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, with more than a quarter (27%) reporting antisemitic activity by faculty.

These trends are evident in Florida, too.

“Florida has done more to protect Jewish residents than any other state, but significant challenges are seen even here,” said Karen Cyphers, partner at Sachs Media and vice president of the Tallahassee Jewish Federation. “We’ve been surveying Florida residents on antisemitism regularly since 2018, and the trendline is disturbing. In the past two years alone, the share of Floridians who believe Jews are responsible for what happened to them in the Holocaust has risen fourfold, and even more disturbing is the steady share of young people who say Hamas was justified in carrying out the Oct. 7 attack.”

This victim blaming appears to correlate with current events. Multiple Florida voter surveys by Sachs Media over the past year show that 40% of Floridians under age 45 believe Hamas was justified in its attack on Israeli civilians, 58% are unaware of Hamas’ stated goal to eliminate Israel, and 26% say violence against American supporters of Israel is justified.

To counter these trends, this proposed initiative includes increased security personnel, surveillance, and training; cultural programs celebrating Jewish heritage and fostering understanding; educational initiatives to combat misinformation and antisemitism; community outreach through dedicated liaisons to improve campus relations; and counseling and training for students affected by antisemitism.

Sen. Corey Simon, a Tallahassee Republican leading the funding request at FSU, stressed the importance of ensuring all students feel safe on campus.

“We cannot allow antisemitism to fester on our campuses,” Simon said. “Every student deserves to feel secure expressing their identity, and this effort ensures that Jewish students at FSU and across Florida have that right.”

Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Tampa, advocating for USF’s portion of the funding, described the initiative as necessary for student safety and cultural understanding.

“We have an obligation to make sure every student, of every background, feels safe on campus,” Driskell said. “Safety stems from a sense of understanding, and this project is focused on building those kinds of bridges.”

At UF, the proposal is backed by Sen. Stan McClain of Ocala and Rep. Chad Johnson of Chiefland, both Republicans.

“Education should be a space for dialogue and learning, not fear and intimidation,” McClain said. “This funding will help ensure UF remains a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students.”

“If approved, this funding would make Florida the first state to implement a large-scale, data-driven initiative focused on Jewish student safety at the college level,” Johnson said.

Democratic Rep. Allison Tant of Tallahassee, leading the effort at FSU, emphasized Florida’s leadership role in protecting Jewish communities.

“Florida has led the way in protecting Jewish communities, and Florida State has demonstrated exemplary support for these students,” Tant said. “This is the next step, to amplify these efforts from a grassroots level up. What we do here can serve as a national model.”

Advocates argue that the initiative’s impact will go beyond security, helping to shift campus culture by fostering understanding and dispelling harmful misinformation. Brian Pelc, executive director of Hillel at FSU, highlighted the unique support Jewish communities receive in Florida compared to other states.

“Jewish communities in Florida receive a level of support from our public institutions, including state leaders and college administrations, far beyond what peers experience in other parts of the country,” Pelc said. “This project is designed to ensure we’re building on those efforts by honing our communications, deepening understanding, and strengthening relationships to mitigate the spread of antisemitism.”

With strong bipartisan backing, proponents remain optimistic about the initiative’s approval in the upcoming Legislative Session.

“Jewish students at USF should feel safe and supported, both physically and culturally, on our campus and in our surrounding communities,” said Sylvie Feinsmith, executive director of Hillel at USF. “This initiative allows us to not only enhance security but also to invest in education and relationship-building, ensuring that misinformation and antisemitism have no place in our community.”

“This effort is about more than just protection; it’s about reinforcing a campus climate where Jewish students can thrive without fear and contribute to campus culture, life, and academics in the many beautiful ways they do. By strengthening security and fostering greater understanding, we are ensuring that UF remains a place of learning, respect, and inclusivity for all,” said Rabbi Jonah Zinn, executive director of Hillel at UF.

“By allocating these funds to protect Jewish students and organizations on university campuses, Florida will continue its commitment to its Jewish community, which has faced an alarming rise in antisemitism,” said Daniel Frank, ADL’s Florida Regional Director. “All students should be free to learn in an environment without fear for their safety and engage in campus activities without fear of harassment or intimidation.”

These funding requests (Forms 2206, 2318, and 3321 in the House and Forms 2938, 1508, and 1681 in the Senate) are under review and will be debated in the coming months.

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