Sunshine Sentinel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 20, 2023, Senator Rick Scott and Mrs. Ann Scott announced they will donate a portion of his 4th quarter Senate salary to the Jewish Federations of North America for its Israel Emergency fund. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) represents nearly 400 independent Jewish communities, and works closely with the Government of Israel and a variety of agencies to secure the Jewish State; help the most vulnerable groups, including immigrants and Holocaust survivors; and strengthen and rebuild Jewish life throughout the world. Yesterday, Senator Scott announced a donation to The Florida Holocaust Museum and will be making an additional announcement tomorrow. Senator Scott has donated his Senate salary since taking office in 2019.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ann and I are proud to support the incredible work of the Jewish Federations of North America, which has a direct impact on Jewish populations in Florida, Israel, across America and worldwide. The wide network of JFNA is a support system for Jewish families, protecting them when needed, helping develop strong communities, and providing safe places for them to worship and grow their faith. This is especially critical as our Jewish communities face attacks from Iran-backed Hamas terrorists in Israel and increased threats and anti-Semitic attacks around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Israel several times, and my wife Ann and I visited Kfar Aza, a kibbutz that was site to a complete massacre. These communities need the strong support, protection and assistance of groups like JFNA, and we’re incredibly humbled to make this announcement today.” 

Please see more HERE or below in the letter from Jewish Federations of North America Chair Julie Platt and President and CEO Eric Fingerhut: 

December 20, 2023

U.S. Senator Rick Scott

110 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Scott,

On behalf of the Jewish Federations of North America, we’d like to express our gratitude for your and Mrs. Ann Scott’s support in donating a portion of your salary to our Israel Emergency fund.

The Jewish Federations of North America are the backbone of the organized Jewish community in the United States, representing over 350 Jewish communities. We raise and distribute more than $2 billion annually and through planned giving and endowment programs to build flourishing Jewish communities at home, in Israel, and around the world.

Donations to the Israel Emergency Fund go toward filling immediate and emergency needs in the aftermath of October 7th—the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—including providing assistance to victims of terror, providing medical equipment and support, delivering food packages and hot meals, mobilizing volunteers, and providing mental health and emotional support.

The will also go toward Israel's growing medium- and long-term needs that have resulted from the attack and its aftermath, including efforts to rebuild destroyed communities.

As you know, Jewish Federations have been working to mobilize our communities in support of Israel, including through the March for Israel, the largest pro-Israel rally in the nation’s history, and our Blue Ribbons for Israel campaign to call attention to the plight of the hostages, over 100 of whom remain in Hamas captivity. We will continue this work unwaveringly.

Your actions to support the people of Israel, who continue to deal with unimaginable heartbreak, loss and terror over these past two months, are a sign of true friendship.

Sincerely,

Julie Platt

Chair, Jewish Federations of North America 

Eric Fingerhut

President and CEO, Jewish Federations of North America 

Original source can be found here.