Florida Rabbis Endorse Byron Donalds for Governor
A group of 40 rabbis from various Jewish communities across 17 cities in Florida has publicly supported Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for governor. They released an open letter on Friday, highlighting his efforts against antisemitism, his advocacy for school choice, and his ongoing support for Israel—all aimed at ensuring Florida remains a secure and welcoming space for Jewish families.
In the letter, which was signed individually by the rabbis, they described Donalds as a robust supporter of Jewish families and the principles that have made Florida a friendly environment for Jewish communities.
“Florida has become a place where Jewish families can build their lives, practice their faith, educate their children, and raise the next generation with confidence and without living in constant fear,” the rabbis expressed. “This is nothing we can take for granted.”
Dated October 13 and made public on Friday, the letter includes signatures from rabbis spanning from South Florida to Tampa, Tallahassee, and Northeast Florida. Notably, 36 of them are based in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
The rabbis lauded Donalds’ track record in addressing antisemitism and his commitment to safeguarding Jewish communities. They referenced his firm stance that the safety of Floridians is “non-negotiable.”
During a recent town hall in Delray Beach, Jewish students from Florida Atlantic University posed a question about their safety on college campuses. Donalds’ direct reply was, “Antisemitism will never be tolerated on college campuses.”
Education played a significant role in the endorsement as well, with the rabbis noting Donalds’ efforts in the Florida Legislature to expand scholarship programs and enhance parental choice in education. They also recognized his and his wife Erika’s advocacy for school choice, which they believe has improved access to faith-based educational opportunities for Jewish families.
Furthermore, the rabbis emphasized Donalds’ unwavering support for Israel, recalling his defense of the Jewish state during Hamas rocket attacks in 2021 and his denunciation of antisemitic attacks on American Jews. His reaffirmation of support, especially on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, was also mentioned.
“Florida will ALWAYS stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters,” Donalds stated in a message commemorating the anniversary.
Looking ahead, the rabbis stressed the importance of maintaining Florida as a state where Jewish families can live safely, practice their faith, and educate their children according to their values.
“We believe Florida must remain a state where Jewish life flourishes, antisemitism is confronted, our communities are protected, and parents have meaningful choices in educating their children,” they wrote. “We look forward to working with you to keep Florida strong, safe, and welcoming for generations to come.”
Lisa Spies, who directs Jewish outreach for the Donalds campaign, welcomed the endorsement, pointing out that these leading religious figures share the congressman’s priorities.
“These are some of the most respected rabbinic leaders in Florida, and they came together because they know what’s at stake,” she remarked. “Byron Donalds has stood with the Jewish community and with Israel when it mattered most. Florida’s Jewish community is proud to stand with him.”
Bryan E. Leib, another supporter of the Donalds campaign, acknowledged the significance of this endorsement by humorously noting that getting rabbis to agree on anything is quite a feat.
“It’s hard to get two rabbis to agree on anything, and 40 of them just agreed on Byron Donalds,” Leib said.
Donalds, who secured the Republican gubernatorial primary in August and has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, is set to face Democratic nominee and former Republican congressman David Jolly in the general election on November 3.
