Photos by Mendy Bleier

Thirty community Rabbis, representing a large portion of the Florida orthodox spectrum gathered today for a discussion of issues and an exchange of ideas in Ft. Lauderdale with Florida United States Senatorial candidate Marco Rubio.

FL Rabbis meet Senatorial Candidate Marco Rubio

Photos by Mendy Bleier

Thirty community Rabbis, representing a large portion of the Florida orthodox spectrum gathered today for a discussion of issues and an exchange of ideas in Ft. Lauderdale with Florida United States Senatorial candidate Marco Rubio.

Rubio, the Republican candidate, endorsed by the Miami Herald and leading in the poles, expressed his appreciation to the community leaders, educators, and Rabbis for their openness and support. He was accompanied by the Majority leader of the Florida House of Representatives, Adam Hasner. Adam stated that in his years in public service he was extremely impressed that these rabbis who represent over 30,000 Jews were all there .

In his remarks, he addressed many of the concerns of the Jewish voters including his position on Israel and issues faced by many communities in South Florida.

Funding for faith based organizations and security funding for schools were high on the agenda of the yeshiva principals in attendance who represented thousands of children in their schools, including the Lubavitch Education Center, Yeshiva Toras Emes, and the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School.

Joining the more than 20 Chabad Rabbis, were representatives of Agudah and the OU from Washington, D.C., local Rabbis of Young Israel congregations, the Sefardic community, Roshei Yeshiva of many schools and NCSY and a representative. of Chesed of South Florida and rabbis representing the Russian Jewish community

The issue of school vouchers and job creation were discussed as they represent a high priority in Jewish community life.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, of North Miami Beach presented Rubio with a Mezuzah and on behalf of the gathered community leaders looked forward to placing the Mezuzah on the doorpost of his new office in the United States Senate building in Washington D.C. Rubio stated it would be his pleasure to have the rabbis join him in his office to affix it .

In his remarks, Kaploun related the story in the Talmud (Avodah Zara) of the Rabbi who received a large diamond as a gift and had given a Mezuzah as a gift in return. The recipient questioned the value of the small hand written parchment in relation to the diamond. The Rabbi’s response clarified the issue by saying that the diamond requires protection, whereas the Mezuzah provides protection for those inside the home.

Rubio himself a religious man, has remained consistent in his positions and expressed his understanding of faith and the freedom this country provides to every individual to practice their religious beliefs. He concluded his remarks by thanking the entire group and made a commitment to remain a friend of the Jewish community and Israel and continue to address local concerns in his position as the new senator from Florida.

6 Comments

  • Good to see them there

    Rubio has his heart in the right place. I just hope he doen’t get hoodwinked into joining the current establishment. He ought to stick with Demint’s coalition and he will do great work for not only Floridians but the entire nation.

    And, great to see Rabbi Spalter.

  • elisha

    2 things i beileve in the above comment

    and i appreciate that chabad is taking a role in leadership and their representation

    in struggling for jewish education vouchers and fighting the unions

    shalom hamedina through fiscal responsibility
    and jewish and moral blood being spilled in eretz yisroel

    bless all of you

    very important because you represent the rebbe the rebbe was yad baelyonah meaning they came to him not he to them soo dont go stooping low to them keep your heads high and ask of him not from you

    wish there was video

  • Boca Ratonian

    Great to see rabbis from all areas. Rabbi Denburg and Bukiet thank you for representing the Boca Raton Jewish Community.
    And you to Todd Cohen head of ncsy down here great job.

  • Maven

    Looks Like Yehuda Kaploun put it all together. He has landed on top there in Florida. Hatzlacha.

  • bais yaacov miami students!!!

    go!!! rabbi mats the greatest teacher!!!! in bym ( he is the one with the cool stripe tie) go !! miami

  • Izzy

    It was good to see Rabbi Salfer of Yeshivas Doresh (which my son attends). Even though he is not Chabad, he is friendly to it and accomodates my son’s minhagim.