Floridians visiting the Capitol can now see the names and faces of Holocaust survivors who moved to Florida featured on a memorial unveiled Tuesday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a cohort of current and former lawmakers, and members of the Jewish community gathered across the street from the Capitol in Tallahassee to honor victims and survivors of the Holocaust and showcase a double-sided, iron and limestone memorial, authorized during the 2016 legislative session.
“In Florida, we are committed to upholding the truth and the words ‘never forget,’ and we will continue to sponsor causes and find ways to ensure our next generation is able to learn about the horrible ordeal that these survivors had to face,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis presented Holocaust survivor David Schaecter with the governor’s medal of freedom. Schaecter moved to Miami in the 1950s after surviving Auschwitz.
The governor touted legislation he has signed providing extra security for Jewish Day schools, increased Holocaust education, and flying Americans from Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Former Sen. Eleanor Sobel, who sponsored the bill establishing the memorial, was there.
DeSantis said additional memorials will be constructed at the Memorial Park.
Following the unveiling of the memorial, legislators kicked off Israel Day at the Capitol along with Israeli Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky and Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey.
“It’s our duty as a Legislature to educate. Antisemitism thrives in ignorance,” Rep. Mike Gottlieb, chair of the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus, said. “The lies spread about Israel, about Jews, and about our history must be confronted with truths. We must ensure that our schools, universities, and institutions do not ever again become breeding grounds for misinformation and hate.”
–Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
