In response to a surge in hate speech, a prominent Jewish business owner has created a $1 million fund to address antisemitism in Jacksonville and complete an already-planned security initiative.
David Miller, co-founder of Brightway Insurance, envisions the Together Strong Community Fund first as a vehicle to use "education, conversation and interaction to combat the root causes of bias," according to an announcement from the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, which will administer the fund.
"My family is fiercely devoted to the greater Jacksonville community and we see this as an opportunity to show each other and the world that Jacksonville is better than the rogue comments of a misguided few," Miller said. "The time is now to forge alliances and promote education so everyone in our community can reach their personal potential in a just and equitable society that we are proud to call our home."
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Such collaboration will engage the broader community of business leaders, local nonprofits and government officials to "cultivate a culture of inclusiveness," Miller said.
Among other things, the funding will support the creation of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the work of OneJax, a nonprofit interfaith organization that promotes racial, religious and cultural tolerance.
OneJax organized a candlelight vigil for Thursday at James Weldon Johnson Park as a sign of solidarity "to kick hate out of Jacksonville" following recent antisemitic posts and displays across the city, including one at Saturday's Georgia-Florida game at TIAA Bank Field.
"We are exceptionally grateful to David and the Miller families for this powerful commitment to the protection of the Jewish community," said Mariam Feist, Jewish Federation CEO. "We are deeply moved by their desire to bring their message of hope and opportunity to the wider community so that we may all benefit from greater tolerance and understanding."
Miller said he hoped his $1 million contribution would challenge other people in the community to donate to the effort.
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Community Security Initiative and 3 calls to action
The fund will also support the Community Security Initiative, which will help create and implement response plans and training opportunities.
For a year the Jewish Federation has been developing the initiative with the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. The network runs the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center in Chicago, which includes a 24-hour intake and distribution point for incident and threat reporting, analysis, information sharing and incident tracking, according to the federation.
The local initiative will include the hiring of a full-time security executive and developing "a comprehensive program that provides risk mitigation, security consultations and assessments to Jewish institutions throughout the region," according to the federation.
An integral part of the security initiative will be community education and awareness training.
"There is no higher priority than ensuring a safe and secure environment in which to gather, pray, learn and play," Feist said. "This has never been more clear than in the midst of a rise in antisemitic threats and incidents across the country … It has shed light for many on the unfortunate reality of antisemitism in today’s society. We know these incidents do not represent our growing and inclusive region, and we cannot allow them to define us."
Federation officials met Wednesday with representatives of the network, Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Jewish Community Alliance, the LJD Jewish Family & Community Services, River Garden, Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Jacksonville Jewish Center and Etz Chaim.
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Feist said although no direct threat is known, they must stay vigilant and take extra care to be cautious and aware of their surroundings. She said law enforcement has asked them to communicate three calls to action.
- Report images or hate speech to security@jewishjacksonville.org. Secure Community Network will assess them and work with local law enforcement and FBI. Do not share such images or speech, which only amplifies such voices, Feist said.
- Organizations and individuals should have a crisis and response plan.
- Obtain training in "situational awareness" and "countering active threat.
Response plans and training will be developed through the initiative, which will launch in a few weeks. In addition to the Miller contribution, funds have come from the foundation, the network, the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and other donors.
bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109
JEWISH FEDERATION & FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
To donate to the Together Strong Fund, contact Mariam Feist at mariamf@jewishjacksonville.org or (904) 224-1410 or Kellie Smith at kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org or (904) 512-3796. For more information about the fund or the federation, contact the organization at 8505 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32217; (904) 448-5000; info@jewishjacksonville.org or go to jewishjacksonville.org.
For more information about the Community Secure Initiative, contact Feist at mariamf@jewishjacksonville.org.
For more information about the Secure Community Network, go to securecommunitynetworks.org.
Report hate speech and images to security@jewishjacksonville.org.