Jewish day schools, Holocaust Museum primed for more funding under governor’s proposal

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – Additional funding is set to be considered for Jewish nonprofits as part of the proposed upcoming budget for 2024-2025.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference Tuesday to unveil his budget proposal. Lawmakers will consider his recommendations during the 2024 Legislative Session.

The state is “continuing to prioritize the safety of our Jewish Day Schools in the midst of rising antisemitism,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The governor’s budget recommends $10 million for “enhanced security measures” at Jewish Day Schools along with $1.35 million for the Florida Holocaust Museum.

The intent is to “continue educating Florida’s students on the atrocities of the Holocaust.”

There will also be funding for the Florida Holocaust Task Force and the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.

“We want the students, we want everybody, but particularly some of these ignorant college students to understand why we say ‘never again,’” DeSantis said.

Florida lawmakers held a special session in November to bolster security at Jewish day schools and other institutions prone to potential violence.

DeSantis said some of the things that have happened on college campuses “with respect to antisemitism – is unacceptable.”

Since the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, several student-led organizations have held protests showing solidarity for Palestine and in some cases calling Hamas’ actions “justified.”

This prompted lawmakers to file legislation that would revoke college scholarships from students who promote a terrorist organization on a Florida college or university campus.

He said the state has “done a lot in Florida to ensure and we’re fighting now with the Students for Justice for Palestine, which were delisting, because they’re common cause with Hamas.”

“I don’t have time for that. We’re not going to deal with that,” DeSantis said.